Maria Callas: The life and legacy of the legendary soprano

Maria Callas, the preeminent Greek soprano of the 20th century, is remembered as a transformative figure who redefined how opera is performed and perceived. Known as ‘Divina’, she was celebrated for her unique vocal palette, technical flexibility, and her ability to fully embody operatic heroines such as Norma, Tosca, and Medea.

Born Anna Maria Sophia Cecilia Kalogeropoulou in Manhattan, New York, in 1923 to Greek immigrants, her early life was marked by significant personal challenges. After moving to Athens in 1937 at the age of 13, she began her professional musical journey. Her life was characterized by a complex relationship with her mother and a career that spanned the world's greatest stages before her final years in Paris.