In Semiramide, when I saw it, the principal male character, that of Arsace, was acted by Pisaroni, a singer of the first excellence, possessing the finest contralto voice of almost any female ever heard; but she was, unfortunately, one of the plainest, and could never appear in the dress of her sex. She was fully conscious of this great disadvantage, and always acted male parts; nor would, as I have heard, accept an engagement till she had prepared her employers for the deformity they would see. To those who only listened, she gave unqualified satisfaction, for her singing was perfect.