Maria Meneghini Callas

the long version

Maria Meneghini Callas is a moving account of the tumultuous and tragic life of one of this century's greatest divas. Callas was a fascinating, mysterious, and often contradictory figure who carefully created the myth that surrounded her. Michael Scott explores every aspect of that myth, detailing her battles with opera managers, her marriage to Giovanni Meneghini, her weight loss and inexorable decline, her tempestuous romance with Aristotle Onassis, and finally her early death in Paris. Michael Scott's extensive knowledge of the history of vocal music provides a unique reference point for measuring Callas's achievements. He is the only Callas biographer to have seen her frequently on stage. Drawing on his memories of her performances, his comprehensive knowledge of her recordings, and interviews with numerous singers, conductors, and producers, Scott examines each of Callas's major operatic performances and recordings. He offers penetrating, sometimes controversial insights into her genius, commenting on her choice of repertory, and speculating about the reasons behind the concert cancellations that brought her so much publicity. The book also features a discography, a complete list of Callas's performances, and 31 photographs, many previously unknown. With enthusiasm and vitality, Michael Scott has brilliantly captured Callas's life and artistic milieu in a fascinating exploration of one of this century's most beloved and influential operatic superstars.