Maria Callas: The Woman behind the Legend

by Arianna Huffington

For millions of people, the great soprano Maria Callas (1923-1977) remains the focus of such unparalleled fascination that there is still no higher praise for singers than "…the best since Callas." In this biography, Callas' career is brought brilliantly to life, from her transformation from a chubby, painfully shy girl into a magnificent, celebrated soprano, to her conflict with her larger-than-life image. Huffington makes this struggle, which was at the center of her life, also the center of the biography. Using a wealth of previously unpublished material and numerous first-hand interviews, Huffington documents Callas' interminable conflict with her mother, her deeply emotional relationship with her voice, the gradual unraveling of her first marriage, her passionate love affair with of Aristotle Onassis, her agony and humiliation at his leaving her, and her secret abortion.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Music, Biography Memoir, History, Greece, Memoir

383 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1980

About the author

Arianna Huffington is the chair, president, and editor-in-chief of the Huffington Post Media Group, a nationally syndicated columnist, and author of fourteen books.

In May 2005, she launched The Huffington Post, a news and blog site that quickly became one of the most widely-read, linked to, and frequently-cited media brands on the Internet. In 2012, the site won a Pulitzer Prize for national reporting.

She has been named to Time Magazine's list of the world’s 100 most influential people and the Forbes Most Powerful Women list. Originally from Greece, she moved to England when she was 16 and graduated from Cambridge University with an M.A. in economics. At 21, she became president of the famed debating society, the Cambridge Union.

She serves on several boards, including HuffPost’s partners in Spain, the newspaper EL PAÍS and its parent company PRISA; Onex; The Center for Public Integrity; and The Committee to Protect Journalists.

Her 14th book, Thrive: The Third Metric to Redefining Success and Creating a Life of Well-Being, Wisdom, and Wonder was published by Crown in March 2014 and debuted at #1 on the New York Times Bestseller list.

Reviews

[Carmen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve always thought that Maria Callas was as larger-than-life, and her life as tragic, as any of the characters she played. She’s an elusive subject for a book because her magic cannot be captured in words, but Arianna Huffington succeeds in painting a vivid portrait of her.

Unlike other biographers, she doesn’t give a laundry list of events and leaves it at that. In fact, some parts are not given the attention they deserve. For example, we’re told in the introduction that when she died, Maria only had two framed photographs at home: one of her beloved teacher, Elvira de Hidalgo, and the other of the legendary singer María Malibrán. But then she barely gives any information about her training with de Hidalgo or her relationship with her. Instead, the focus is on Maria’s psychology, using as sources interviews with a vast array of people who knew her well, such as John Ardoin (to whom she gave a series of interviews after Onassis left her for Jacqueline Kennedy, and who wrote several books about her artistry), Franco Zeffirelli, Tito Gobbi, Grace Kelly (Princess Grace of Monaco), Lord Harewood, Nadia Stancioff (who wrote her own book about her friendship with Maria), Constantine and Anastasia Gratsos (one of Onassis’ oldest associates and his wife, respectively), Vasso Devetzi, and even Maria’s mother, Evangelia. But perhaps the greatest revelation was her correspondence with her godfather, Dr. Leonidas Lantzounis, who welcomed her parents to New York when they arrived from Greece in 1923 and helped deliver Maria that December. He gave access to her letters and granted interviews to the author.

As a fellow Greek, Arianna Huffington (whose maiden name is Stassinopolous) probably has more insight into the culture in which Maria was raised than most biographers. For example, she explains that it was believed that doing paperwork related to one’s death brought bad luck, so Maria died without signing her updated will, resulting in the irony that two of the people she hated the most -her mother and her ex-husband, Giovanni Battista Menegheni-, both of whom exploited her in life and death, inherited the bulk of her estate.

The author is sympathetic to Maria (as am I), but doesn’t shy away from her flaws, which are put in context and treated with understanding. It’s difficult not to feel sorry for someone who had such a hard life, someone who despite being one of the most celebrated artists of all time, was also one of the most lonely and misunderstood. Reading about her last years is so depressing that when she dies, you almost feel relieved that her despair is over. And so devastated that it’s as though you have lost a friend. But Maria Callas stays with you, like all great characters, long after you’ve finished the book.

[Gabrielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I must admit that although I am a huge fan of Ms. Huffington's popular aggregate news site (The Huffington Post) - I had not realized that Ms. Huffington had previously written biographies!! I am not much of one for self-help and the type of non-fiction she has written in recent years (I have not read any, so no comment) - but I discovered this gem in a wonderful used bookstore and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Being of Greek origins herself, Ms. Huffington offers slightly unique perspective to the well-known story of Maria Callas and I found her writing - especially despite how young Ms. Huffington must have been at the time - to be fairly effortless and I enjoyed the book beginning to end. Even for those of you not a fan of Ms. Huffington's politics, the book speaks for itself and is as good an insight into what made the fascinating, mysterious, elusive and I always imagine deeply tortured Maria Callas as any and is much less dry than many similar offerings. For some reason, Maria Callas always broke my heart - even before I was old enough to understand the whole Aristotle Onassis angle - and I truly felt she was captured here at her most alive, most complicated and most tragic - from the highest of highs to the depths of pain to which any (or at least many) woman can relate. Yes, there may be more clinical, factual, in-depth biographies of this mysterious creature, but I rather enjoyed the less-formal, more casual tone here, as to me it suits the subject who, although ethereal and larger-than-life, was in the end proven to be just as human and breakable as the rest of us. Sometimes it takes a woman, and a more knowing/understanding lens, to truly understand another emotion-based, fallible woman. Some people are best explained in technical, emotion-less ways, but for me Ms. Huffington's slightly more informal yet also more compassionate portrayal remains my favorite insight into a womanly force such as Maria Callas. And I am glad she wrote the book long ago, whereas her take now might be more polished, I loved this just as it is, vulnerability and all.

[Simona · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings about this. Usually biographies are nothing but stale and dry facts accompanied by fancy sentence structures. This one was something right in the middle. After reading it I was overwhelmed by La Callas (as they called her back then) personal and juicy life details that kind of belittled her artistic genius she was carrying inside with her 'til her death.

Pursuing a career in a similar artistic sphere, the biography itself was a nice treat to spice up a free evening, as I really understood where her motives and tatrums were coming from. Opera world back then was unimaginably demanding, yet the audience possesed a short-term memory, acting almost like ambitious little children. Having a world-renowned career meant riding an American rollercoaster with no stops in-between. Maria Callas went there because she didn't have any other option, yet, I wonder if she would've chosen that same path otherwise.

It's a sad story about an artistic Genius who was cursed from the very beginning. Callas was a fragile little creature who wanted nothing more but pure acceptance, empathy and love. Stage was the only place where she could satisfy that hunger and constant need of being verified. Later, as the history showed, it broke her internally. Ugh.

[Aurelie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a page-turner of a biography, full of vivid writing. The emotions of Maria Callas are clearly described as well as the entanglements of her relationships with relatives, friends and Aristotle Onassis. When so many biographies are plodding and informational but leave the reader cold, this one soars in its clear attachment to its subject while always describing with an objective eye the strengths and weaknesses of Maria Callas. I got from the book a genuine, deep, three-dimensional understanding of Maria Callas as a woman and an artist. A must-read.

[Alberto · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book about Maria Callas, the Primadonna Assoluta of the XX Century. This book is very well researched and will shed light to the incredible driving force and flaws of this very complex character. Must read.

[Debbi Barton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book many years ago and had forgotten about it until last night when I saw the film Maria. Maria was a complex character moulded by her childhood experiences that she was unable to break away from. Another tragic tale of a legend taken too soon.

[Pollopicu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once I decided I wanted to learn more about the personal life of Callas, I researched the best possible biography that would suit my own personal literary needs. I knew there were a lot of books out there that focused more on her singing, rather than her personal life. Although I'm mesmerized by her voice, what I really wanted to know about were the juicy aspects of her life, especially that with Aristo Onassis. The book did not disappoint. Arianna Huffington wrote this book exquisitely, without being too overly indulgent in unnecessary gossip. It was just enough of what I wanted to know about Maria's personal life, but not so much as to trash the legend for the sake of a biography. She wrote about Maria with respect, understanding and sympathy. She did not hold back details Of Maria's life. Arianna, took you chronologically through all the events in Maria's life. The most honest account of a biography I've ever read. I did not feel as emotionally attached to Maria as I would have liked, but I feel pity, sympathy and sadness for her. In the end the book delivered. I learned about her life, her work, her love. It was quite engaging.

[Ansie de Swardt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dense with information and yet racing ahead with the astonishing events in Maria's life, the book reads like a novel, or rather an opera libretto, and is at times difficult to put down. Yet the thoroughness is impressive. It is worth noting that the author was requested by Weidemann to do a biography within days of Callas' death, and it was published 3y later. It has the freshness of recent events.
My overwhelming impression was sadness at the pain this great artist suffered in her extraordinary life, through the successes and joys. I loved it.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent biography and very well written. Greatness often comes at a cost and doesn't always fulfill. Hers was not a "beautiful" voice, but she was a performer unlike anyone else, or since. Also came away struck by the role of a mother both present and absent in the life of a person. For Maria it brought resentment and rejection, for Ari, the pursuit of women to be loved because his mother died when he was a boy.

[Jessica B · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this on my family shelf one day while cleaning it. My mom didn't know whose it was, so I kept it. And read it, of course. Callas has become my role model since then. She was a strong woman who knew how to pass through life. That inspired me a lot. I definitely recommend this book. And also, if you can, listen her singing while it.

[Janice]

I got bored and quit this without finishing.

[Puck Duimdus · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting life, but I found the book a tad disppointing. Not that I'm a fan of sensationalism, but one can be too dry.

[Mike Refky · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's very repetitive and sometimes dull, but overall a worthwhile read, especially if you are a fan of Callas or opera.

[Elizabeth Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love La Callas, but Huffington only wrote half a good book. It left many questions unanswered for me.

[Warwick Stubbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fully gripping read. Rarely did I feel like skipping pages, or sentences. Stassinopoulos (now Arianna Huffington) spent a great deal of time researching and gaining sources for what is one of the most comprehensive biographies possible, and published only 2-3 years after Maria Callas' death.

The story begins with Maria's grand-parents, a precedent of singing and philandering husbands, but develops quickly into the mother daughter struggle: one seeking fame through her daughter, the other seeking a way to escape the mother. The transformation of weight-loss is a little bit overblown for modern ears, as early photographs merely show her to be "frumpy" and in her own words weighed "no more than 200 pounds...". Maria was a relatively tall woman at 5' 8+1⁄2 (1.74 m), probably taller than me, but I only ever weighed at my heaviest 90kgs, but that was enough for me, and it was certainly too much for Maria who needed to lose weight purely for the sake of being able to embody the roles as she imagined them in her head: "I was tired of playing... a beautiful young woman, and I was a heavy, uncomfortable woman finding it difficult to move around." From Medea, to Norma, Tosca and La Traviata, Maria Callas brought a realism to these roles that weren't conveyed solely through her vocal talents, but also through the language of the body, the hand movements, and in every way she presented herself on the stage just as an actor in film or on stage is meant to do. That intensity was then carried out through her vocals as well, and this is what so many critics both praised and critiqued her for. Unlike other great performers of her time, Callas suffered from a lack of consistency, but there was no doubt that the power, intensity, and magnetism was always there through her heyday.

She was a great actress and she had a unique ability to act with her voice. ... This is why thousands fell in love with through her recordings long before they had a chance to experience the Callas presence, the Callas gestures, the Callas movements on stage..." (p.190)

Her fame spread and became an enduring presence throughout her life even as the vocal talents became further stressed and she struggled to maintain her powerful notes. Just as she broke records of solo curtain-calls at La Scala (24 minutes of continuous applause!), so she continued to attract massive crowds and fans even with now consistent and predictable cancellations towards the end of her life. There's even an incident of her voice breaking on a high C in a performance of Norma that caused outrage and fist-fights among crowds, those disgusted with an artist faltering and those defending the artist, which all became part of the Callas Legend.

The biography covers so much, but what remains in memory is the essential struggle between living up to her fame and the push and pull of her romantic life: the long-standing love affair with shipping tycoon Aristotle Onassis, before and after his 'betrayal' by finally marrying Jackie Kennedy; the continual presence and legal wrangling from her first (and only) husband Meneghini who controlled every aspect of her career in the early period to her most famed period; and the bitter, sad, lonely withdrawal of the artist that found little lasting company and satisfaction in the world outside that had once loved and adored her, but now felt more intent curling up and watching westerns on TV, listening to old recordings of herself and reliving the glory days, making and cancelling appointments until few bothered to ring her back.

"Her sense of having been victimised and her underlying self-pity became a poison running through her life and corroding everything long after the events themselves..." (p.363)

What is disappointing is that some aspects of characters aren't fully explored on the way but only revealed later on down the track, for example: Onassis, while never coming across as any great "catch", appears to be the loving partner, albeit somewhat aloof partner, that Callas craved, but later we find out that all along he had put her down and belittled her on a regular basis, and while there is no evidence of physical abuse, his narcissistic attitude would be more than enough to warn off any woman. He just comes across as a complete dickhead. But unfortunately, Callas had known few other men outside of this entire circle of fame, music, and business, and she held a candle for him right up until both their last days. And it's not unfair to say, that a similar candle was held for her own vocal abilities, even as it continually faded along with her last steps.

[Simon Pockley · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first, I wondered if the descriptions of a succession of operatic performance details would sustain my interest. This beautifully written biography held my attention to the last page. It was as much about the anatomy of genius and the way fame becomes a separate and insatiable character with its own demands, as it was about aging, humiliation, loneliness.
Her voice came from her grandfather (mother’s side), ex army officer, Petros Dimitriadis.
That the legendary Callas (Kalogeropoulos), who could turn a hostile crowd into adoring fans, should have become like a big-game trophy for the likes of the super-rich Onassis was tragically inevitable. But Arianne shows us the vulnerable woman as we glimpse this rarified world and its ironic emotional and familial impoverishments.
Above all, we see a true artist not only at work but unable to rest, unable to relax, unable to create the inner resources needed to survive a life beyond art.

With Maria the dramatic interest not only equalled the musical interest, it often far exceeded it, for she breathed richness into empty melodies, and gave dramatic life to operas which musically hardly deserved to be staged. Virtually single handed, she revitalised and expanded the bel canto repertory…(p.131)

Her greatness may have been that of an actress, but the dramatic use to which she put the natural gift of her voice was her genius. (p.167)

The way she moved and sang, the way she listened to colleagues when they sang. She filled dramatic pauses with her presence, her ability to sustain tension. She was genuine, authentic, without the old cliches. (p. 259)

[Els · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maria Callas door Arianna Huffington

Ik kende Callas een beetje, ik las al een boek van Huffington, daarom kon ik deze biografie van een geweldig groot artiest niet laten liggen. Voor elke fan van Callas is dit boek een regelrechte schatkamer. Voor mij was het iets te gedetailleerd in datums, feiten, opera-details. Ik had graag een meer verhalend boek gelezen.
Huffington heeft geweldig werk afgeleverd, geen detail uit de carrière van Callas blijft onbesproken. En met de inzage van de 27 jaar durende correspondentie tussen Maria en haar peetvader Leo Lantzounis komt Maria voor Arianna én voor ons pas echt tot leven.

Maria heeft het niet makkelijk als kind en zal het later als vrouw ook nooit makkelijk hebben. Ze worstelt met wrok en schuldgevoelens ten opzichte van haar moeder, ze is verslaafd aan werken omdat dat haar een vlucht uit de werkelijkheid biedt en ze is en blijft voortdurend op zoek naar liefde en bevestiging. Ze zoekt wanhopig iets/iemand die het gat kan dichten dat vanaf haar geboorte in haar is gegroeid.

Roem, geld, erkenning, niets is genoeg, niets is voldoende om haar echt gelukkig te maken. Zelfs de liefde van haar eerste man Meneghini, noch haar relatie met Onassis kunnen het verdriet in Maria niet stelpen.
Hoe hard ze ook werkt om de grootste te worden, diep vanbinnen blijft ze klein. Door dit boek zie je de grootsheid van Maria als artiest, maar zie je ook het kleine meisje dat daar achter schuilt. En dat is een mooie verdienste van Huffington.

[Serra İnderim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have a deep appreciation for Arianna Huffington's writings and this one where she guides us through the highs and lows of Maria’s life didn't disappoint either. She shows empathy towards Maria (also I do, how can you not sympathize with seemingly such a powerful woman who endured loneliness and misunderstanding throughout her life and was abused by everybody around her) but doesn't avoid addressing her flaws. Instead, they are presented within context and handled with compassion.

One of the book's strengths lies in author’s ability to blend scholarly research with compelling storytelling. Unlike other biographers, she doesn't merely provide a list of events and stop there. Instead, the focus is on exploring Maria's psychology through interviews with numerous individuals close to her. (including Franco Zeffirelli, Tito Gobbi, her mother and most notably her godfather)

While the writing style may bother some readers, occasionally resembling of a glossy magazine, if you can look past it, you'll find some real gems about a woman who transcended the operatic stage and become a cultural icon. It's a book you won't want to miss, whether you're a music buff or just looking for a good read.

Also, the parallel between Huffington and Callas as Greek diaspora women adds an extra layer of intrigue.

[Martynas Kėvišas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book but only if you are very fond of Maria Callas. It is not a biography that will surprisingly amaze unless you are very certain what you are looking for. It sometimes gets too much into details what makes the overall story a bit dull and repetitive. The most interesting part is Callas romance with Aristotle Onassis but again this is so because of larger than life Onassis figure and his tragic life.

[Nicole Zalas-Browne · Rating 2 out of 5]

well researched but poorly written

This book reads as if a friend is describing the story of Maria Callas to you. I believe it has been thoroughly researched but the casual tone of the text belies that & made me doubt the veracity of the story & all of the quoted dialogue included in this book. I’m going to find a Callas biography from another author. If you prefer your books written like a People Magazine article you will enjoy this one.

[Kendle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maria Callas life is very interesting and sad. Maria Callas was a driven, hardworking woman full of talent and skill. I'm not sure what the author's seemingly obsession with Callas weight, but it's constantly written about. The life story did jump around a lot. More explanation and information of opera and opera houses would have been helpful to the reader. Maria Callas life is fascinating and one I look forward to learning more about.

[Lauren E. Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Diva Disclosed!

This was a totally absorbing read about the life of the great Maria Callas! She was a true wonder of the 20th century. I still remember the first time I ever heard her sing, my mother forced me to sit and listen (without moving!) to the entire recording of Tosca...I was mesmerized by her outstanding voice and dramatics -I was hooked! Thanks, Mom!

[Stacey OBrien · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a life!

I had no idea her life had been so dramatic and sad. Her fame ruined the rest of her life and each concert she did, she felt she had to top the last one. She drove her voice past its limits, and she had nothing else in life to give it meaning, except for men. The story was riveting and engaging and hard to put down. Great book about a legend!

[Eva Tomic · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good solid book on a legend

Very readable, drawing from various sources while respecting the legend and above all the woman behind the legend. Her greatness came at a price.

[Barbara Koltuska-Haskin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well written and fascinating biography of the most famous opera singer.

[Tess Fragoulis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it. It was both personal and career focused, and gave a lot of context for things. Does it have bias? Probably. But that’s why you read more than one book.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sad story. Callas seemed to have it all but was not at peace. I wish she had known Jesus.

Book seemed to drag at times. 3.5

[Santi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This biography is one of the best I have read, almost the best, or I would say, the best. It is not easy to say which is the best, it is difficult, because I think I have read about Callas , 10 biographies in my entire life, so it is not easy to decide, when you really like the topic discussed, Callas is one of my favorite sopranos, So it's normal that I'm not objective, because I enjoy discovering this soprano more and more, whoever the writer is, I'll always like the book. anyway, this book is special. Actually, I would put it at number one on my list, because the writer wrote it shortly after the artist's death, and she spoke in person with many people who treated Maria and furthermore, it was still recent, so the testimonies, There are many, they are first rate, and as I say, recent, so it is truly a great biographical study of first class research, in addition, the writer is magnificent in the way she writes and describes Maria and her thoughts, in short, I have I enjoyed it a lot and I haven't given it away as a gift as I use to do with all my books, but with this book, it's curious, I've moved house several times, but this book has always traveled with me ¡¡¡ because I don't want to lose sight of it and always have it on hand, i imagine is because I got it while my mother was alive and it was at her house that I first read it and brings me special memories, and in fact I plan to re-read it soon, that means a lot . I repeat, this is one of the best biographies about maria, maybe the best.

[Inner Latitude · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent biography. It is well-researched, well-written, and full of genuine care for the person it's about.
There are documents, recordings, letters, interviews with Callas herself and with people who knew her. And the book was put together soon after her death, so many of those voices were still available. The detailed source notes for each chapter deserve a special mention; they're so much better than the usual faceless "thank you all."
Maybe Callas herself wouldn't have agreed with everything here, but we'll never know. And I doubt I'll ever find a more complete account of her life.

The choice of words is so precise that I actually looked up the author's biography – and wasn't at all surprised to see a Cambridge education and the fact that she'd been president of its debating and free speech society. The book walks a fine line between affectionate compassion and honesty, and it keeps that balance impeccably.
Although it does take sides, the story never slips into tabloid-style scandal. And even its "taking sides" is done gracefully:
"Maria's mother took a job selling jewelry for Jolie Garbor and made sure everyone knew about it."
Elegant? Yes. Dry? Not at all.

Overall, the book has a rare quality for a biography: even when you already know how the story ends, you still get chills watching the train rush toward the collapsing bridge.And the author creates that tragic fascination without slipping into speculation or melodrama.
My respect.

[Jeannine · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is very good, but in some parts can be quite dull if you are not an Opera fan or musician. The beginning up to when she becomes famous is exciting, and the end as she is no longer quite so famous, is interesting. But the middle is redundant. Arianna goes through detail after detail of each and every performance. That to me is not exciting to read. But because I was curious about the whole Onassis/Kennedy/Callas triangle, I waited. It is important though to read everything to understand her personality. This woman was a wonderful person and a great legend, but she definitely suffered I would suspect from Histrionic Personality Disorder. Onassis is definitely a complete dick, not that this is a surprise, he reminded me a lot of Diego Rivera when it came to women as his possessions. They might have been friends had they known each other - although I suspect thier politics were different. I also purchased a CD to hear Maria sing and often played it while reading, quite a beautiful experience. I was not an Opera fan prior to buying this book. I only bought it after seeing the movie from Netflix - Callas Forever - a Historical Fiction. Curiosity got the best of me and now I am a fan - of Maria.