Maria Callas
Maria Callas Commendatore OMRI (born Sophie Cecilia Kalos; December 2, 1923 – September 16, 1977) was a Greek-American soprano who was one of the twentieth century's most known and influential opera singers. Many commentators commended her bel canto skills, broad vocal range, and dramatic interpretations. Her repertory varied from classical opera seria through bel canto operas by Donizetti, Bellini, and Rossini, as well as works by Verdi and Puccini, and, in her early career, Wagner music dramas. Her musical and theatrical abilities earned her the title "La Divina" ("the Divine one").
After several appearances as a student, Callas began appearing in secondary roles at the Greek National Opera. De Hidalgo was instrumental in securing roles for her, allowing Callas to earn a small salary, which helped her and her family get through the difficult war years.
Callas' legacy goes on decades after her death. If you ask someone on the street to name a female opera singer, odds are they would say "Maria Callas" But the same cannot be said about the others on this list! Callas' interpretations were not always exactly correct, but her heart, passion, and soul showed through. And isn't that the point of art? The power to arouse something inside you that you cannot always explain? It's similar to Monet's "smears" and "blobs." On the surface, they are not exactly works of art, but when viewed as a whole, they are stunning...
Awards:
- Grammy Lifetime Achievement Hardware (2007)
- Grammy Hall of Fame (1987)
- Grammy Award for Best Classical Performance, Operatic or Choral (Nominations: 1959)
