The famous rivalry (questioned by historians) between Mozart and Salieri is well-known; but what about the one, also highlighted, between the singers Maria Callas and Renata Tebladi?

However, it is not the latter that Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt depicts in his short opus The Rival, instead shining the spotlight on a funny old woman, Carlotta Berlumi. Everyone (even Google!) has forgotten this former opera singer, who confides in a young tourist guide keen on the discipline, unfolding her life, consumed by bitterness. She presents herself as the real competitor of La Callas, who would have done everything to undermine her career, plot at her expense and take away the light that rightfully belonged to her. Or is it just a venom-laced illusion? When La Presse met Mr. Schmitt at the Montreal Book Fair last year, the writer said he was working on a book with music as its theme. We suspect that La rivale is the outcome. Thanks to Berlumi’s acid character and the implicit morality of the story, we find, not without pleasure, the writings which, in our opinion, best suit the author, that is to say a short format where strong figures intervene. and touching, despite their faults. The novelty is quickly devoured, but the theme and accessibility of the portrait, which can be placed in many hands, allows us to spend a few quality moments, especially when it is read with a tune of classical music as a backdrop. bottom.