An American soprano of Greek parentage, Maria Callas was known as much for her dramatic interpretations of operatic roles as for her singing. Her personal life and her relationships with employers were equally fiery and well publicized.
In 1947 Callas began her operatic career. She was soon in demand for such roles as Aida, Isolde, Kundry, and Brunnhilde. Her greatest triumphs, though, were as Norma, Medea, Anne Boleyn, Lucia di Lammermoor, Verdi's Lady Macbeth and Violetta, and Tosca. She was also widely praised for her performance in the movie Medea. Growing vocal troubles in the 1960s led to her gradual withdrawal from the stage.
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