American-Born Greek Soprano Maria Callas Died in 1977

American-born Greek soprano Maria Callas died on this day in 1977

She is remembered as one of the most renowned and influential opera singers of the 20th Century – praised for her bel canto technique, wide-ranging voice and dramatic gifts.

She enjoyed unparalleled artistic excellence, with exceptional musical instincts and intelligence, particularly in the realm of 19th-century Italian opera (from Rossini to Puccini), where she truly shone. Callas had an innate stage presence and her voice, especially during the 1950s, was remarkable and distinctive. Vocally, she was incredibly versatile, able to convey a broad spectrum of tones depending on the mood or style of the music she performed.

She died from a heart attack, in Paris – aged just 53.

MARIA CALLAS | BELLINI | NORMA | CASTA DIVA | GEORGES SEBASTIAN & ORCHESTRE DE L'OPERA NATIONAL DE PARIS | 1958