Adelaide Ristori as 'Medea'

The Italian actress Adelaide Ristori paid her first professional visit to Paris in 1855. Her debut in the part of Francesca was rather coldly received, but she took the city by storm in the title role of Alfieri's 'Myrrha.' Furious partisanship was aroused by the appearance of a rival to the great Rachel, and Paris was divided into two camps, with playgoers fighting at gallery doors over the merits of their respective favourites. The following year she toured in various other countries, which she followed with a fresh visit to Paris, appearing in the title role of Legouvé's 'Medée' [Medea], the success of which she then repeated in London.

Photographed by Disdéri of Paris.