Photo by Unknown
 
Negative Year: 1962
Print size: 19.7x29.7cm 
Style: Vintage gelatin silver print
A few fingerprints on the left side of the photography (maybe from the photographer?)
 
The Backstory:
Maria Callas, the iconic soprano, was a tempestuous force in the world of opera. Born in New York to Greek immigrant parents, her early life was marked by struggle and ambition. With a powerful voice that could both soar and shatter, she captivated audiences.
 
Her affair with Aristotle Onassis—a man torn between her brilliance and the allure of social status—sent shockwaves through high society. When he left her for Jackie Kennedy, it marked a turning point. Heartbroken yet resilient, Callas channeled her pain into her art, producing some of the most unforgettable performances of her career.
 
People often remember not just Callas' talent but also her relationship with Aristotle Onassis. Many claim that the end of their relationship in 1968  sealed the end of her career.
It is true that her life visibly declined in public from that point onward, ending eight years later with a heart attack. 
But Callas should not be remembered for that.
She is much more deserving of recognition for her fighting spirit, ambition, and conviction.
 
Known for her intense rehearsals, Callas often frustrated her fellow singers, defending her approach by stating, “I am only as difficult as I need to be to achieve perfection.” Did male artists of her caliber have to justify their pursuit of perfection in the same way?
 
The greatest tragedy for Maria Callas was not her breakup with Onassis but the loss of her voice, which began to decline in her mid-30s. Some attribute this loss to significant weight loss during her preparation for her role in La Traviata. But her careful protection of her voice – her greatest asset - makes this unlikely. Different from today’s opera singers, who limit performances in their early years. But Callas? She sang Wagner and Bellini in the same week when she was in her early 20s.
 
Maria Callas became globally renowned for her powerful voice and acting, establishing herself as a lasting fashion icon. Ultimately, her genius should not be overshadowed by a tragic narrative.