Maria Callas: The Legend. EMI CDC 7243 5 57057 2 3.(Review)

Maria Callas: The Legend. EMI CDC 7243 5 57057 2 3.

The American operatic soprano Maria Callas (1923-1977) may still be the most recognizable female name in opera, almost a quarter century after her death. Although she was quite versatile, singing in French, German, and Italian, she is known today primarily for her French and Italian roles, which are well represented on this collection of her art. She was also known for her volatile disposition and the notoriety of her lifestyle, but that's another story. The questions is, Was she really the greatest female soprano of all time? One can only say, maybe. A case can certainly be made as strongly for placing Callas at the top of the list as for any other singer. One thing is clear, though; she probably did not possess the most dynamic, lilting, precise, or beautiful voice of all time. Those titles might go to other contenders. What is equally clear is that no other soprano in modern history interpreted a song quite like her. By the time she retired, she had performed more than 40 separate roles and had recorded something like 20 operas.

A good example is given in the booklet insert. When a reporter once asked her after a film appearance, "So you have decided to start out on a career as an actress?", she ...