298.—SONTAG—MALIBRAN.
Another rivalry between vocalists of note was that which for some years existed between the prima donnas, Sontag and Malibran. It was hard to determine which of these ladies was the greater artist, so equally were they matched. Sontag possessed thei greater power of vocalization, but Malibran gave to her singing a passionate warmth that touched the hearts of her auditors more than the perfect execution of her rival. Although the antagonism between them was personal as well as artistic, they did not descend to the vulgar displays of temper and envy that characterized the Bordoni—Cuzzoni feud.
It seemed that Sontag had fallen in love with and become engaged to, a scion of French royalty, a Count Rossi; but in spite of this, her hand was sought by De Beriot, the great violinist. It is needless to say that he was rejected. At this turn of affairs, De Beriot became much depressed and sought solace at the side of Malibran, who was a captivating brunette. Her quick sympathy caused a recovery from the Sontag rejection, and his affections naturally became centered on this consoling angel to such an extent that Madam Malibran afterwards became Madam De Beriot.
The rivalry that took place between Sontag and Malibran at the time we mention, was thought to have much of its origin in the fact that the Spanish brunette never forgave the fair German for having been the first loved of the French violinist. This quarrel was amicably settled, however, when, in 1828, they met in London and appeared in public together in several operas that required prime donne of great power and scope of voice. They then declared great admiration for each other's abilities and professed mutual friendship.