Maria Callas A Musical Biography Bk/2cd

Maria Callas was almost as famous for her personal life – her jet-setting, her staggering weight loss, her tigress-like temperament – as she was for her singing. Of Greek parentage, the New York-born, internationally famous Callas was the most influential soprano of the 20th century, reviving a school of singing – bel canto – that hadbeen forgotten for 75 years. Unlike most of her generation of sopranos, she was a superb actress both vocally and physically: her voice encompa ssed many colors and she embodied each character she portrayed. After seeing or hearing her in a role, it was said, it was difficult to imagine another singer attempting it, so fierce was her individual stamp. Her status went beyond cult; her triumphs and failures appeared on the front page of newspapers all over the world.

This profusely illustrated musical biography covers Callas's life and career. A final third of the book analyzes the tracks on the two CDs, describing what made Ca