Maria Callas

NAME Maria Callas (born Sophia Cecelia Kalos)

WHAT FAMOUS FOR Maria Callas is renowned for her extraordinary operatic soprano voice and her dramatic interpretations of operatic roles. She is considered one of the most influential opera singers of the 20th century.

BIRTH Maria Callas was born Sophia Cecelia Kalos on December 2, 1923, at Flower Hospital (now the Terence Cardinal Cooke Health Care Center) in Manhattan, New York.

FAMILY BACKGROUND Maria was born to Greek immigrant parents, George Kalogeropoulos, a pharmacist, and Evangelia Dimitriadou. The family later adopted the shortened surname, Callas. The family emigrated to the United States before Maria's birth, seeking better opportunities.

CHILDHOOD Maria had a challenging childhood marked by her parents' turbulent relationship and eventual separation. Her mother, recognizing Maria's vocal talent, pushed her into singing from a young age, which Maria later resented.

EDUCATION Maria studied at the National Conservatoire in Athens under the tutelage of Elvira de Hidalgo, who played a significant role in shaping her vocal technique and career.

CAREER RECORD Maria Callas's career began in Greece, but her rise to international fame started with her debut at the Verona Arena in 1947. She performed at major opera houses worldwide, including La Scala in Milan, the Metropolitan Opera in New York, and the Royal Opera House in London. She was known for roles in operas such as "Norma," "La Traviata," "Tosca," and "Lucia di Lammermoor." 

Callas faced vocal decline in the late 1950s and retired from singing in the mid-1960s

APPEARANCE Maria Callas was known for her striking stage presence. 

In the early years of her career, Callas was a heavy and full-figured woman, standing 5' 8½" and weighing up to 200 pounds. Between 1953 and 1954, she lost a considerable amount of weight, which enhanced her stage appeal and led to a glamorous, elegant appearance.

Below is Callas as Giulia in the Opera "La Vestale", by Gaspare Spontini, 1954

By Teatro alla Scala - https://i.pinimg.com/originals/ Wikipedia

FASHION Callas was a fashion icon, often dressed in high fashion and couture. She had a particular affinity for the designs of Dior, and her style was characterized by elegance and sophistication.

CHARACTER Maria Callas was known for her fiery temperament and passionate nature. She was dedicated to her art, often pushing herself to her limits to achieve perfection in her performances.

SENSE OF HUMOUR Despite her serious and intense persona on stage, Callas had a sharp wit and could be charming and humorous in private settings.

RELATIONSHIPS Maria Callas's personal life was tumultuous. She married Giovanni Battista Meneghini, an Italian industrialist, in 1949. He assumed control of her career until 1959, when the marriage dissolved.

Her most famous and controversial relationship was with Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis, which ultimately ended in heartbreak when he left her for Jacqueline Kennedy.

MONEY AND FAME Callas achieved great wealth and fame throughout her career. She became a global celebrity in the 1950s commanded high fees for her performances and lived a luxurious lifestyle.

Callas was passionate, demanding, and could throw a tantrum that would make a toddler blush. The press ate it up, of course, turning everything into a scandal – her fiery personality, her supposed rivalry other opera singers and then there was the whole Aristotle Onassis mess.  Talk about drama!

FOOD AND DRINK Between 1953 and 1954, she lost nearly 80 pounds through a low-calorie diet of mainly salads and chicken, transforming her stage presence.

Callas had a love-hate relationship with food, especially given her dramatic weight loss. Her diet and weight were often topics of public discussion.

MUSIC AND ARTS Maria Callas exploded onto the opera scene in Italy. Her voice? Breathtaking. Her stage presence? Like a panther ready to pounce. She tackled the most demanding roles, these bel canto operas that could leave lesser singers gasping for air. But Maria? She devoured them.

Leonard Bernstein called her the "Bible of opera"!  Even after her career ended too soon, her recordings kept selling like wildfire.  Nearly thirty years after her death, Maria Callas is still the definition of a diva, a true legend who shook the world of opera to its core.

Callas was deeply passionate about music and the arts. Her contributions to opera were not just limited to her vocal performances; she also brought a deep understanding of the dramatic aspects of opera, transforming the way roles were portrayed.

LITERATURE Maria enjoyed literature and often read to relax. She was particularly fond of Greek classics and romantic novels.

PETS Callas had a poodle named Toy, which she adored. Her dog often accompanied her during her travels.

HOBBIES AND SPORTS Maria enjoyed watching movies and listening to a wide variety of music. Her primary hobby, however, was her relentless pursuit of perfection in opera.

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY Maria Callas was a devout Greek Orthodox Christian, and her faith played a role in her personal life.

POLITICS Callas was not overtly political, although her relationship with Onassis brought her into contact with influential political figures.

SCANDAL Her affair with Aristotle Onassis was highly scandalous and widely publicized, especially because it ended her marriage to Meneghini and eventually led to public heartbreak when Onassis married Jacqueline Kennedy.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS Her health was a concern throughout her life, particularly in her later years. The pressure of her career and personal issues took a toll on her voice and overall health.

Callas had myopia, a condition that made it difficult for her to see things clearly at a distance. This necessitated the use of eyeglasses or contact lenses, though she often performed without them for aesthetic reasons. Her poor eyesight was a significant factor during rehearsals and performances, where she had to rely heavily on her memory and spatial awareness.

HOMES Callas lived in various places, including New York, Athens, Milan, her villa in Sirmione, Italy. She spent her last years living largely in isolation in Paris

TRAVEL She traveled extensively for her performances, spending much of her life on the road in the world's major cultural capitals.

DEATH Maria Callas passed away on September 16, 1977, in Paris, France, from a heart attack at the age of 53. She was cremated, and her ashes were scattered over the Aegean Sea, off the coast of Greece, as per her wishes.

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA Callas has been the subject of numerous documentaries, films, and books. Notable portrayals include the 2002 film Callas Forever and the documentary Maria by Callas (2017), which provides an intimate look at her life and career.

ACHIEVEMENTS Maria Callas is celebrated for  her revolutionary contributions to opera, combining her unique voice with dramatic intensity and compelling stage presence. She left an indelible mark on the world of classical music, and her recordings remain highly regarded to this day.