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Maria CallasOpera singer, soprano
Date of Birth: 02.12.1923
Country:  USA |
Content:
Biography of Maria Callas
Maria Callas, born as Cecilia Sofia Anna Maria Kalogeropoulou, was born on December 2, 1923, in New York. Her name was later shortened to Maria Callas out of respect for her new American homeland. She inherited the power over the audience from Enrico Caruso, the quintessential male opera star of the early 20th century, becoming the most revered diva of the theater. Callas was a determined woman who challenged critics, opera impresarios, and audiences with her relentless pursuit of perfection in the musical world. When she died in 1977, Pierre-Jean Rémy, a Parisian opera critic, said, "After Callas, opera will never be the same as before." Lord Harwood, a London critic, described her as "the greatest performer of our time." Even Callas's opponents had to acknowledge her genius, recognizing her significant influence on the world of opera. Callas and Rudolf Bing of the New York Metropolitan Opera constantly clashed throughout her professional career (he actively opposed her), but even he said after her death, "We will never see anyone like her again." This passionate actress was loved, idolized, hated, admired, and despised, but her professional mastery never went unnoticed and left no one indifferent. Undoubtedly, she had a greater impact on the world of opera than any other personality in the 20th century, if not of all time. She reigned supreme in her profession for twelve years and was an outstanding performer for twenty.
Early Life and Education
Maria Callas was born on December 2, 1923, in New York City. Her father, Georges Kalogeropoulos, was an ambitious businessman, while her mother, Evangelia Kalogeropoulou, was a demanding and ambitious woman. Maria had two siblings, an older sister named Jackie and a younger brother named Vassilios. However, tragedy struck the family when Vassilios died of typhoid fever at the age of three. This tragedy deeply affected Maria's mother, who blamed herself for his death. Maria was born in New York four months after her parents' arrival in America. Her father abruptly decided to sell his successful Greek pharmacy and leave for distant lands. Maria's mother, Lisa, was disappointed that her new child was not a boy and refused to even look at or touch her daughter for four days. This rejection by her mother and the loss of her beloved brother had a lasting impact on Maria. Despite the family's constant moves and financial struggles, Maria showed exceptional talent from a young age. She began taking piano lessons at the age of five and singing lessons at eight. By the age of nine, she was already performing in concerts and had a deep love for classical music.
Early Career and Success
Maria Callas's talent and dedication to her craft led her to achieve early success. At the age of sixteen, she won first prize in a conservatory competition and began earning money with her voice. She performed in the Athens Lyric Theatre during World War II, often supporting her family financially during this tumultuous period. In 1941, at the age of eighteen, Maria performed her first major role in the opera "Tosca" for a staggering royal fee of $65. Maria adored her absent father and despised her mother. Her relationship with her mother was strained, and Maria felt that her mother had stolen her childhood. She cut ties with her mother for good after buying her a fur coat upon returning from a tour in Mexico in 1950. Maria never saw her again for thirty years.
International Recognition
Maria Callas returned to New York from Athens in the summer of 1945 to pursue a career worthy of her talents. Despite her personal insecurities, she felt no fear and later said, "At the age of twenty-one, alone and without a penny, I boarded a ship in Athens bound for New York. No, I was not afraid." She met her beloved father only to learn that he was living with a woman she couldn't stand. This led to an incident in which Maria smashed a record over the woman's head. Maria spent the next two years auditioning for roles in Chicago, San Francisco, and New York. Edward Johnson of the New York Metropolitan Opera offered her leading roles in "Madama Butterfly" and "Fidelio." However, Maria declined the role in "Madama Butterfly" due to her own dissatisfaction with her appearance and her belief that the English version of the opera sounded ridiculous. Nonetheless, she signed a contract to perform in Verona, Italy, in August 1947, making her debut in "Gioconda." In Verona, she impressed Maestro Tullio Serafin, who became her mentor for the next two years. Under his guidance, she performed in Venice, Florence, and Turin.
