Joaquina Sitches

Maria-Joaquina Sitches Briones (also Maria-Joaquina García-Sitches and Joaquina García) (28 February 1780 – 10 May 1864) was a Spanish actress and operatic soprano.

Joaquina Sitches was the second wife of the tenor, composer and impresario Manuel García, and the mother of the pedagogue Manuel García the younger, of the mezzo Maria Malibran, and of the mezzo and composer Pauline Viardot.

All three children were gifted and benefited from the early training by their father. When her husband died when Pauline was not yet 11 years old, Sitchez took charge of her vocal training.