Professional name of Maria Anna Sofia Cecilia Kalogeropoulos
(1923-77), American operatic soprano, the preeminent prima donna of her
day, and the first modern soprano to revive forgotten operas of the bel
canto repertoire. Born in New York City, she moved to Athens at age 13,
making her first major appearance there in 1941 as Tosca. Callas began her
career in dramatic roles such as Isolde, Brünnhilde, and Aida. After 1949,
encouraged at the La Scala opera by her mentor, the Italian conductor
Tullio Serafin, she turned toward coloratura bel canto roles; they included
Norma, Lucia di Lammermoor and many roles in long-unperformed operas.
Praised for the distinctive color of her voice, her dramatic presence, and
her careful musicianship, she sang principally at La Scala, the Rome and
Paris operas, Covent Garden in London, and the Metropolitan Opera in New York City.
"Callas, Maria," Microsoft (R) Encarta.
Copyright (c) 1994 Microsoft Corporation.
Copyright (c) 1994 Funk & Wagnall's Corporation.