Maria Callas Pack : A Musical Biography

By Robert Levine

Book Overview

Maria Callas was almost as famous for her personal life - her jet-setting, her staggering weight loss, her tigress-like temperament - as she was for her singing. Of Greek parentage, the New York-born, internationally famous Callas was the most influential soprano of the 20th century, reviving a school of singing - bel canto - that had been forgotten for 75 years. Unlike most of her generation of sopranos, she was a superb actress both vocally and physically: her voice encompassed many colors and she embodied each character she portrayed. After seeing or hearing her in a role, it was said, it was difficult to imagine another singer attempting it, so fierce was her individual stamp. Her status went beyond cult; her triumphs and failures appeared on the front page of newspapers all over the world.

This profusely illustrated musical biography covers Callas's life and career. A final third of the book analyzes the tracks on the two CDs, describing what made Callas unique, what made Callas Callas. Listen for yourselves to La Divina ("the divine one"), as the Italians dubbed her, and be amazed.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1574671839
• ISBN13: 9781574671834
• Release Date: March 2010
• Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing USA
• Length: 240 Pages
• Weight: 0.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 7.9" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Nearly three hours of landmark performances

Now, this is what I call a biography. Not only does it have a plethora of monochrome pictures of Maria in chronological order, but sound performances that thrill your imagination. The second half of the book tells something of the music itself and is laid out to follow the two included CDs. Now it is time to visit the Black Dog Opera Library Series. Selections include major pieces from: Vincenzo Bellini 1801-1835 Alfredo Catalani 1854-1893 Giacomo Puccini 1858-1924 Umberto Giordano 1867-1848 Giuseppe Verdi 1813-1910 Francesco Cilea 1866-1950 Gaetano Donizetti 1779-1848 Christoph Willibald Gluck 1714-1787 Georges Bizet 1838-1875 Gioachino Rossini 1792-1868 Giacomo Meyerbeer 1791-1864 Charles Gounod 1818-1891 Camille Saint-saëns 1835-1921 Jules Massenet 1842-1912

Interesting biography

This is a well written, easy-to-read biography with lots, really lots of photos never seen before, among them - on a whole page - of Callas as Turandot. Two well filled CD:s from EMI are included - and in the last part of the book each aria is discussed in detail. Much value for a modest price. Why not five stars then? Well, the analysis of every aria gets a bit dull after a while. The book is, however, worth any price because so many unique photos!

Maria Callas, a biography

The author has combined in recording and words the magnificence of this great artist. This is a book all Callas fans must have. The text is well translated and Mr. Levine describes to perfection why this woman is so great in her intereperative skills. Thank you Mr. Levine from a Callas fan. All young aspiring opera singers male or female should have this book to learn what is the stuff that makes a great singer. Thank you, Victor Zolezzi

Getting to know the diva intimately

If you are pretty much unacquainted with the art and life of Maria Callas, I highly recommend this book by Robert Levine, an widely-known music writer and Senior Editor of ClassicsToday.com.I knew Maria Callas only by reputation and publicity and by my old LP of Norma, recorded in 1960, a riveting dramatic portrait, although the vocal problems that shortened her career were then very much evident. I very much wanted to know more, and to hear her sing when her voice was a little fresher, and, like another reviewer here, didn't really know where to start. This book has been a godsend for me.The text covers Callas' life and career, and includes many photos and a discography. This book includes two CD's with arias from most of the roles Callas sang on stage and a number of ones she didn't. The text that accompanies each aria discusses when and how it was recorded, its place in Callas' career, and the real treasure for me is that it discusses, with notations of exact timings so that one can listen to each example, the nuances of drama, emotion and technique that characterize phrases, words, sometimes single notes. It is a fascinating way to get to know the work of a most remarkable artist. I have to say that I was blown away by the Mad Scene from Lucia di Lammermour and the lovely "La mamma morta" from Andrea Chenier, both recorded in 1955, when her voice was fresher than in my later Norma.Because of the discussion about the painstaking and creative way that Callas crafted her interpretations of the roles she sang, I have a new appreciation for her singing, and I think I finally begin to understand what was so special and moving about her art.I recommend this book to people well-acquainted with Callas' work as well as neophytes like myself. It really is a gift.

Life enhancing

There are those people who know all about the greatest music, the gretest artists, the best performances and there are, well, the rest of us. I've been wanting to know more about Callas for some time but am always daunted when I go into a record store and see the row upon row of recordings. Where do you start? I suppose the best introduction would be to sit down with someone who knew a lot about her, who would tell you her story, while playing selections of some of her greatest recordings and pointing out what to listen for, relish, and occasionally criticise in each performance. However, in the absence of such a friend Robert Levine will do very nicely. The book is beautifully produced and the pictures of Callas at every stage of her career are stunning. The real joy though are the two CDs and the accompanying commentary in the book. Each aria is set in context and there are (thank goodness) librettos and timings. Levine points out special features to listen for and is also not afraid to criticise in places. There's also a list or performances and a discography. A wonderful treat.

Over 100 rare black & white photographs

Maria Callas: A Musical Biography is a gloriously presented biography of stellar opera performer Maria Callas. Indeed, "La Divina", as she was called is quite possibly the greatest operatic soprano of the 20th century. The travails of her personal life, as well as her impressive public career, are painstakingly chronicles by internationally known music writer Robert Levine. Over 100 rare black & white photographs, and two full-length music CD's, nicely round out this superb tribute and testimony of a grand woman's life and career. Maria Callas: A Musical Biography is a "must" for the legions of Maria Callas fans and admirers.