Contents
Maria Callas
Transforming operatic roles into intensely dramatic performances, especially Norma and Tosca.
Tosca · Norma
- Born
- 2 December 1923
- Birthplace
- New York City, United States
- Died
- 16 September 1977
More people
Maria Callas
Maria Callas was an American-born Greek soprano celebrated for making vocal technique serve theatrical character. She helped revive interest in demanding nineteenth-century Italian operas.
Early life
New York beginnings
Born to Greek parents and received music lessons as a child.
Athens training
Moved to Greece with her mother and studied with Elvira de Hidalgo at the Athens Conservatory.
Career
- 1940s
Greek stage
Built her early professional career in wartime Athens.
- 1947
Italian breakthrough
Appeared in La Gioconda at Verona, beginning her international rise.
- 1950s
Leading opera houses
Became closely associated with La Scala and expanded her bel canto repertoire.
- 1971–1974
Teaching and final tour
Gave Juilliard masterclasses before an international recital tour.
Selected work
Tosca
Recorded Puccini’s heroine with conductor Victor de Sabata.
Norma
Recorded Bellini’s demanding role, a central part of her repertoire.
La traviata
Performed Violetta in Luchino Visconti’s La Scala production.
Beyond work
Life in Paris
Spent her later years in Paris after withdrawing from staged opera.
Recorded legacy
Her studio recordings preserve complete operas as well as recital programmes.
Sources & photo credit
Biography ↗Life and work ↗Birthday and centenary ↗Photo: CBS Television. Public domain · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
