Maria Callas, a legend of the opera stage

Maria Callas was an American-born Greek soprano who is considered one of the greatest opera singers of all time. She was known for her powerful voice, her dramatic intensity, and her ability to bring her characters to life on stage. Callas was born in New York City in 1923, and she began singing at an early age. She made her operatic debut in 1941, and she quickly rose to fame. She sang at the world's leading opera houses, and she was particularly known for her performances in Verdi and Puccini operas. Callas was also a successful recording artist, and she made a number of recordings that are still considered classics today.

Callas was a controversial figure, and she was often criticized for her temperament and her personal life. She was married to the Italian industrialist Giovanni Battista Meneghini, and they divorced in 1959. Callas then began a relationship with the Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis, and they were married in 1968. However, Onassis died in 1975, and Callas was devastated.

Callas died in Paris in 1977, at the age of 53. She had been suffering from a number of health problems, including a heart condition. Callas is buried in the Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris. She is survived by her daughter, Lucia.

Callas was a unique and gifted singer who left a lasting legacy on the world of opera. She was a true diva, and she was known for her glamour and her style. She was also a woman of great passion and intensity, and she always gave her all on stage. Callas was a true icon of the opera world, and she will be remembered for generations to come.

Here are some of Callas's most famous roles:

• Violetta in Verdi's La traviata
• Tosca in Puccini's Tosca
• Norma in Bellini's Norma
• Aida in Verdi's Aida
• Carmen in Bizet's Carmen

Callas was a master of vocal technique, and she was able to sing with great power and control. She was also a gifted actress, and she was able to bring her characters to life on stage. Callas was a true diva, and she was known for her glamour and her style. She was also a woman of great passion and intensity, and she always gave her all on stage.

Callas was a true icon of the opera world, and she will be remembered for generations to come.