Maria Callas (Kalogeropoulos real name) was born in 1923 in New York. Her parents were Greek immigrants. As a child Callas developed her sense of music by listening to records and radio programs. Later followed piano and singing lessons. At age 14 she returned with her mother back to Greece, where she continued her studies at the conservatory. After the war, the young soprano was trying to build a
… career in America but the competition was great. Fortunately Callas got an offer to sing in the arena of Verona in Italy. In that country, she met her future husband Meneghini and her mentor Tullio Serafin, who encouraged her to roll out the almost forgotten bel canto repertoire to sing, with great success. Callas took off more than 30 kilos overweight and became a world famous star. The ruthless Italian press did extensive account of her divorce and affair with Onassis. That proportion would give her life a drastic turn. Callas neglected her career for the rich Greek shipowner to be subsequently put by him to the side of Jacqueline Kennedy. Callas was unable to hold on to her career again, partly because had lost its voice quality. She died in 1977 alone in her apartment to a heart attack. Callas had an enormous influence on generations singers. Its exceptional qualities as an actress and her emotional singing that required the utmost of her voice, are considered by many as unprecedented. Legendary her recordings of Lucia di Lammermoor (dcx952), Norma (dcx108), La Sonnambula (dcx193), La Gioconda (dcx366) and Tosca (dcx282). (CP)more
