Read Maria Callas: The Woman Behind the Legend Online

Authors: Arianna Huffington

Tags: #Biography & Autobiography, #Composers & Musicians, #Entertainment & Performing Arts

Maria Callas: The Woman Behind the Legend (32 page)

BOOK: Maria Callas: The Woman Behind the Legend
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10

She celebrated her 1954 American debut at a party in Chicago with Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Walter Legge and other friends. Her triumphant success launched the Lyric Opera of Chicago into international orbit.

11

With Arturo Toscanini, Victor de Sabata, La Scala’s artistic director, and Luchino Visconti (back to camera), who mesmerized Maria with his genius and charisma.

12

13

Rehearsing
La Vestale
with Visconti. At first she was fascinated, then in love.

14

At La Scala with Cesare Valletti, Visconti and Leonard Bernstein, discussing
La Sonnambula
. As Bernstein put it: “Callas? She was pure electricity.”

15

Before Visconti, her mentor was Tullio Serafin, who once said when she doubted her abilities: “I guarantee that you can.”

16

When served a summons from her former manager, Bagarozy, by a U.S. Marshal, barefoot Maria flew into a rage outside her dressing room at the Chicago Opera House, 1955.

17

Two days before her Met debut, a savage
Time
magazine cover story destroyed her public image, catapulting Maria into grief and rage that lasted weeks.

18

But the Voice was magic: 16 curtain calls at her Met debut as Norma, October 29, 1956.

19

In Edinburgh with opera partner Giuseppe di Stefano, August 1957. Maria was accused of canceling a fifth performance when she was only contracted to sing four.

20

On to Venice to a gala party given in her honor by her new friend and champion, Elsa Maxwell, with whom she sang duets.

21

At the party she met Aristotle Onassis, who pursued her all over Venice—from the Lido to Harry’s Bar.

BOOK: Maria Callas: The Woman Behind the Legend
4.98Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads

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