According to an 1897 Journal article, Cather reviewed Fanny Davenport's productions of several plays by Victorien Sardou: Fedora, La Tosca, Cleopatra, Madame Sans Gene, and Gismonda: "And there is only one Sardou. The matronly Fanny Davenport has been giving him to us all week and he is just as great as ever — in spite of Fanny."
In a 1901 Journal article, Cather saw Sarah Bernhardt's performance of it at the end of her 1901 D.C. season.