Maria Callas: A Musical Biography

by Robert Levine

This unique, photo-filled musical biography includes two CDs with nearly three hours of landmark performances by the great diva, accompanied by expert commentary.

Here is a true artistic biography, focusing on Maria Callas's musical development, her influence, her critical reception--and the specific qualities that have made her a legend for our time. The book features scores of photographs from throughout Callas's life and career, including many rare production photos. The CDs, featuring key recordings from throughout her career, are keyed to detailed discussions of the performances, making Callas's work accessible and enjoyable to beginners as well as die-hard opera afficionados. Selections include Bellini's "Casta Diva" (Norma), Rossini's "Una voce poco fa" (II barbiere di Siviglia), Puccini's "Vissi d'arte" (Tosca), Gounod's "Ah! Je veux vivre" (Romeo et Juliette), Verdi's "Caro nome" (Rigoletto), Massenet's "Adieu, notre petite table" (Manon), Bizet's "Pres de remparts de Seville" (Carmen), Spontini's "O Nume tutelar" (La vestale) and many more.

A discography, a chronology, a complete performance history, and more make this the ultimate book for learning about and loving opera and one of its greatest stars.

Genres: Biography

224 pages, Hardcover

First published May 6, 2003

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads data base.

Reviews

[Laura Localio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful depiction of famed opera singer, Maria Callas's life. Not your "typical" opera singer for her voice or look, but truly a story of transformation and determination. The book also includes CD's of her operas.

[Bernie4444 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nearly three hours of landmark performances

Now, this is what I call a biography. Not only has a plethora of monochrome pictures of Maria in chronological order, but sound performances that thrill your imagination.

The second half of the book actually 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

[Marios · Rating 5 out of 5]

WRONG songs on the second CD!!!

I noticed the track number and names of the songs on the CD go as the book describes...but the songs actually played are different!
For example, the second song according to the book AND the CD track name is "L'amour Est Un Oiseau Rebelle"...but in reality the song played is "Una Voce Poco Fa"!
All songs except the first are wrong.

Is it only my copy that has that problem?? I got it from Amazon.

Anyway I made the list of the actual songs played in case anyone has the same issue

1. Gluck - J'ai Perdu Mon Eurydice (Orphee Et Eurydice)
2. Rossini - Una Voce Poco Fa (Il Barbiere Di Siviglia)
3. Meyerbeer - Ombra Leggiera ("Shadow Song", Dinorah)
4. Gounod - Je Veux Vivre Dans Ce Reve ("Waltz Song", Romeo and Juliet)
5. Saint-Saens - Printemps Qui Commence (Samson Et Dalila)
6. Saint-Saens - Mon Coeur S'ouvre À Ta Voix (Samson Et Dalila)
7. Massenet - Pleurez, Pleurez Mes Yeux (Le Cid)
8. Massenet - Adieu, Notre Petite Table (Manon)
9. Spontini - O Nume Tutelar (La Vestale)
10. Bellini - Ah Non Credea Mirarti (La Sonnambula)
11. Donizetti - Il Doce Suono Mi Culpi Di Sua Voce ("Mad Scene", Lucia Di Lammermoor)
12. Donizetti - Spargi D'amaro Pianto ("Mad Scene", Lucia Di Lammermoor)
13. Bizet - L'amour Est Un Oiseau Rebelle ("Habanera", Carmen)
14. Bizet - Pres De Remparts De Seville ("Seguidilla", Carmen)

***The book itself is great, the pictures too, it is very easy to read and with the accompanying CDs can be a great introduction to Callas. A minor drawback is that the author gives the dates of the performances of some songs and not all.
I also noticed some fairly obvious typos in the text but I guess this also proves I got a bad copy.