Maria Callas

One of the most celebrated sopranos of the twentieth century, Maria Callas breathed new life into the great bel canto repertoire and transformed the art of operatic interpretation through the dramatic intensity of her singing.

Biographical milestones

Born Maria Anna Cecilia Sofia Kalogeropoulos on 2 December 1923 in New York, to Greek parents, she received her musical training in Athens, notably under the soprano Elvira de Hidalgo, before establishing herself as one of the greatest sopranos of her time. Her voice, her musical intelligence and her dramatic presence profoundly renewed the interpretation of opera.

A driving force behind the revival of bel canto, she helped rediscover a long-neglected repertoire and revealed its full expressive power. She performed on the greatest international opera stages — La Scala in Milan, Covent Garden in London, the Metropolitan Opera in New York and the Paris Opera — in roles that became emblematic, from Norma to Tosca, from La Traviata to Lucia di Lammermoor and Medea.

After gradually withdrawing from the operatic stage in the mid-1960s, she died on 16 September 1977 in Paris, leaving behind a considerable artistic legacy.

Timeline

2 December 1923

Born in New York, to Greek parents.

Formative years

Musical training in Athens, notably under the soprano Elvira de Hidalgo.

International career

Debuts and triumphs on the greatest stages — La Scala in Milan, Covent Garden, the Paris Opera and the Metropolitan Opera in New York (debut in 1956) — in the roles of Norma, Tosca, Violetta (La Traviata), Lucia di Lammermoor and Medea.

Mid-1960s

Gradual withdrawal from the operatic stage.

16 September 1977

Death in Paris.

A living legacy

The Foundation bears the name of Maria Callas as a standard to uphold: that of art lived to the full, passed on with rigour and generosity. To preserve her memory is also to prepare the future of operatic art.

By preserving the largest Callas collection in the world and by supporting exhibitions, events and audiovisual productions, the Fund carries on the spirit that was the artist's own and makes her legacy a source of inspiration for the generations to come.