Cast a Diva: The Hidden Life of Maria Callas

Maria Callas was the greatest opera diva of all time, but her life was overshadowed by her relationship with Aristotle Onassis and her tantrums. Lyndsy Spence's book reveals her tragic story.

Format: Hardback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 17 June 2021
Publisher: The History Press Ltd

Maria Callas (1923-1977) was a legendary opera diva who left an indelible mark on the world of music. Despite her remarkable career, her life was often overshadowed by her tumultuous relationship with Aristotle Onassis and her infamous tantrums on and off the stage. However, little is known about the woman behind the diva. Maria was a girl brought up between New York and Greece, who was forced to sing by her emotionally abusive mother and who left her family behind in Greece for an international career. Despite facing sexism and adversity, she fought her way to the top, becoming one of the most celebrated opera singers of her time. However, there was one thing that she desired but could not have – a happy private life. In her new book, "Cast a Diva," bestselling author Lyndsy Spence draws on previously unseen documents to reveal the raw, tragic story of a true icon.
Maria Callas was born in New York City in 1923 to a family of musicians. Her father was a violinist, and her mother was a pianist. From a young age, Maria showed a remarkable talent for singing, and she began performing in local theaters and churches. However, her career was cut short when she was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer at the age of 17. Despite the setback, Maria refused to give up on her dream of becoming a professional singer. She underwent extensive treatment and eventually recovered, but the experience left her with a permanent scar on her vocal cords.
Despite her setback, Maria's career took off in the 1950s. She became a regular performer at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City, and her performances were met with critical acclaim. She was known for her powerful voice, her dramatic interpretations, and her ability to connect with her audience. However, her personal life was far from perfect. She was married three times, and each marriage ended in divorce. Her first marriage was to the Italian businessman Mario Maffei, and her second marriage was to the American actor Merv Griffin. Her third marriage was to the Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis, and it was this relationship that would have the most significant impact on her life.
Aristotle Onassis was a wealthy and powerful man who had a reputation for being a ******* and a womanizer. He met Maria Callas in 1957, and they began a passionate affair. Maria was drawn to Aristotle's charm, intelligence, and wealth, and she quickly fell in love with him. However, their relationship was not without its challenges. Aristotle was married to Jacqueline Kennedy, and he was not willing to leave her for Maria. Maria was devastated by the rejection, and she began to drink heavily and engage in wild tantrums on and off the stage.
Despite her personal struggles, Maria's career continued to thrive. She performed in operas all over the world, and she became known as one of the greatest opera singers of all time. She was awarded numerous awards, including the Grammy Award for Best Classical Vocal Performance and the Kennedy Center Honors. However, her personal life remained a source of pain and turmoil. She was constantly haunted by the memory of Aristotle Onassis, and she struggled to find happiness in her relationships.
In 1977, Maria Callas died of a heart attack at the age of 54. Her death was a shock to the world, and it left a void in the music industry that has never been filled. Maria's legacy continues to inspire generations of singers and musicians, and her music continues to be played and celebrated around the world. Despite her personal struggles, Maria Callas was a true icon of the opera world, and her story is one that will be remembered for generations to come.
Maria Callas was a legendary opera diva who left an indelible mark on the world of music. Despite her remarkable career, her life was often overshadowed by her tumultuous relationship with Aristotle Onassis and her infamous tantrums on and off the stage. However, little is known about the woman behind the diva. Maria was a girl brought up between New York and Greece, who was forced to sing by her emotionally abusive mother and who left her family behind in Greece for an international career. Despite facing sexism and adversity, she fought her way to the top, becoming one of the most celebrated opera singers of her time. However, there was one thing that she desired but could not have – a happy private life. In her new book, "Cast a Diva," bestselling author Lyndsy Spence draws on previously unseen documents to reveal the raw, tragic story of a true icon.
Maria Callas was born in New York City in 1923 to a family of musicians. Her father was a violinist, and her mother was a pianist. From a young age, Maria showed a remarkable talent for singing, and she began performing in local theaters and churches. However, her career was cut short when she was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer at the age of 17. Despite the setback, Maria refused to give up on her dream of becoming a professional singer. She underwent extensive treatment and eventually recovered, but the experience left her with a permanent scar on her vocal cords.
Despite her setback, Maria's career took off in the 1950s. She became a regular performer at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City, and her performances were met with critical acclaim. She was known for her powerful voice, her dramatic interpretations, and her ability to connect with her audience. However, her personal life was far from perfect. She was married three times, and each marriage ended in divorce. Her first marriage was to the Italian businessman Mario Maffei, and her second marriage was to the American actor Merv Griffin. Her third marriage was to the Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis, and it was this relationship that would have the most significant impact on her life.
Aristotle Onassis was a wealthy and powerful man who had a reputation for being a ******* and a womanizer. He met Maria Callas in 1957, and they began a passionate affair. Maria was drawn to Aristotle's charm, intelligence, and wealth, and she quickly fell in love with him. However, their relationship was not without its challenges. Aristotle was married to Jacqueline Kennedy, and he was not willing to leave her for Maria. Maria was devastated by the rejection, and she began to drink heavily and engage in wild tantrums on and off the stage.
Despite her personal struggles, Maria's career continued to thrive. She performed in operas all over the world, and she became known as one of the greatest opera singers of all time. She was awarded numerous awards, including the Grammy Award for Best Classical Vocal Performance and the Kennedy Center Honors. However, her personal life remained a source of pain and turmoil. She was constantly haunted by the memory of Aristotle Onassis, and she struggled to find happiness in her relationships.
In 1977, Maria Callas died of a heart attack at the age of 54. Her death was a shock to the world, and it left a void in the music industry that has never been filled. Maria's legacy continues to inspire generations of singers and musicians, and her music continues to be played and celebrated around the world. Despite her personal struggles, Maria Callas was a true icon of the opera world, and her story is one that will be remembered for generations to come.

Weight: 654g
Dimension: 164 x 241 x 33 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780750994194