Maria Callas

Early Life and Musical Beginnings

Maria Callas, one of the most renowned and influential opera singers of the 20th century, was known for her exceptional soprano vocal range and her ability to perform a wide variety of styles and roles. Born on December 2, 1923, in New York City to Greek immigrant parents, George and Litsa Kalogeropoulos, Maria’s musical talents were identified at an early age by her mother, who encouraged her to start piano lessons at the age of six and singing lessons at the age of seven.

Move to Greece and Early Training

Following her parents’ divorce, Maria moved to Greece with her mother and sister, Yakinthi (later called Jackie). In Greece, she enrolled at the Athens Conservatoire, where she studied singing under the renowned Spanish soprano Elvira de Hidalgo. Maria made her operatic debut with the Athens Opera in 1941, performing as Beatrice in *Boccaccio*. During the war years, she also performed in several operas, including *Tosca*, *Fidelio*, *Tiefland*, and *Cavalleria rusticana*.

Return to America and Move to Italy

In 1945, Maria returned to the United States to reunite with her father and audition for the Metropolitan Opera. Although offered roles in *Madama Butterfly* and *Fidelio*, she declined, stating that these roles did not suit her. After a brief stay in Greece, she moved to Italy, where she met conductor Tullio Serafin, who became her mentor and guided her in exploring the bel canto repertoire. Around this time, she also met Giovanni Battista Meneghini, a wealthy industrialist who later became her husband and manager in 1949.

Rise to Fame in Italy

Maria Callas’s career began to flourish in Italy, where she performed in several prominent opera houses and festivals. In 1951, she debuted at La Scala in Milan, Italy’s most prestigious opera house. Over the next few years, she performed major roles in operas such as *Norma*, *La Gioconda*, and *La traviata*, collaborating with some of the most famous conductors, directors, and singers of her time.

International Career and Performances

Maria’s success soon spread internationally. She performed in countries such as England, France, Argentina, Germany, Brazil, and Mexico. In 1952, she made her debut at the Royal Opera House in London as *Norma*, a role she would become famous for. Her long-awaited debut at the Metropolitan Opera in New York came in 1956, solidifying her status as a global opera star.

Relationship with Aristotle Onassis

In 1957, Maria Callas met Greek shipping tycoon Aristotle Onassis, and the two began a highly publicized and tumultuous love affair. She divorced Giovanni Battista Meneghini in 1959 to be with Onassis, but their relationship was marked by difficulties and ultimately ended in 1968. During this time, Maria’s vocal abilities began to decline, and she significantly reduced her stage appearances.

Final Performances and Retirement

Maria Callas gave her final opera performance in *Tosca* at Covent Garden in London in 1965. After this, she largely retired from the stage, living mainly in Paris. In 1973-1974, she attempted a brief comeback with a series of concerts, but her voice was no longer the same, and the comeback was met with mixed reviews.

Death and Legacy

On September 16, 1977, Maria Callas passed away in Paris at the age of 53 due to a heart attack. Despite her relatively short career, Callas left an indelible mark on the world of opera. Her dramatic interpretations, vocal prowess, and wide repertoire earned her the nickname “La Divina,” and she remains a beloved figure in the opera world to this day.