Maria Malibran was a Spanish opera singer, who commonly sang both contralto and soprano parts. She was born to a famous Spanish musical family in 1808, with her father, Manuel García becoming her first voice teacher. 

At the age of 17, she took over the role of Rosine in The Barber of Seville in London, after Giuditta Pasta became indisposed. Malibran quickly established herself as a successful opera singer, but her career was cut short after an accident which led to her tragic death at the age of 28.