it was not until 1855 that she paid her first professional visit to paris, where the part of "francesca" was chosen for her début. in this she was rather coldly received, but she took paris by storm in the title role of alfieri's "myrrha". furious partisanship was aroused by the appearance of a rival to the great rachel. paris was divided into two camps of opinion. humble playgoers fought at gallery doors over the merits of their respective favourites. the two famous women never actually met, but the french actress seems to have been convinced that ristori had no ill feelings towards her, only admiration and respect.