Why did a diva of the dimensions of Maria Callas do a single performance at the Liceu, on May 5, 1959, and in recital format? A unique opportunity to hear her live in Barcelona that ended with some protest... and with the soprano swearing that she would never return. That year he was recording Il pirata and La Gioconda, and in 1960 he would record the famous Norma with Tull and Serafin. Even if he wasn't in the best shape, Callas' career was peaking. What could happen?
"This was Renata Tebaldi's fief those years - remembers the artistic director of the Liceu, Víctor García de Gomar -; he had been coming a lot since 1953, and in 1958 he had given away his first Butterfly. Given the obvious rivalry between the two divas, the public had been predisposed. Because of this myopia, because of this emotional kidnapping of Tebaldi, the balance was tipped in his favor and we missed the opportunity to have more Callas. That Callas who, when she hangs up Norma's boots, points out Montserrat Caballé as the imminent best singer in this role and gives her a score. More things could have happened in this house in relation to the Divine", he concludes. La Vanguardia has consulted some of the current – and future – queens of the Liceu about the importance of the figure of Callas in theirs.
Sondra Radvanovsky
“A candle that burned fast and shone brightly”
Imagine people like Marilyn Monroe, Amy Winehouse or John F. Kennedy...stars who died too soon. This is the category I put Maria Callas in...iconic. But Callas was more than an icon... he was a once-in-a-lifetime person. I often use a phrase from my grandmother to describe a person: "We are all just a candle in this life... we decide how fast it burns and how much it shines." Callas burned quickly and very brightly. He had a huge impact not only in the world of opera, but far beyond. Her passion, love and ability to sing and make art on stage was untouchable, but she also impacted the world of fashion, the world of society... everything. Who wouldn't want to be Callas again in the height of his glory? She made opera glamorous and I thank her for that. But above all I thank him for his dedication and his constant and hard work. For me, Callas embodied everything I wanted to be when I started singing. She was glamorous, beautiful, intelligent, eloquent, a strong woman who possessed the most amazing voice. I can't say it was a beautiful voice, but it was a voice you knew was hers with only two notes, technically perfect. That was the most important thing I learned from listening to Callas: to use your own voice, whatever it sounds like... own it and make it as good as you can with supreme work and sacrifice.
Lisette Oropesa
“It wasn't because of her beauty, money or connections; it was for his art"
Callas changed the standard of what it means to be an artist, a diva, a true star of the stage. She was not famous for her beauty or her money or her connections. He made his way as a big star by working hard, with his devotion to the art and the sheer commitment to staying in top shape. It influenced me in the way I act with my voice, in using all the colors available on the instrument to communicate something authentic and from the heart.
Ermonela Jaho
"Without truth and emotion there is no sense in listening to opera"
Maria Callas is one of the oldest. The most important influence it has had on my own approach as an artist is through identification with the roles I sang. Singing technique needs to be at the service of interpretation and emotion. Callas did it effortlessly and in such a believable way that very few will be able to match it. It may seem like little, but without truth and emotion there is no point in listening to opera, as everything it can communicate is lost. What we sing without passion is heard without pleasure. I think that his influence on me and on the classical world in general comes mainly from that truthfulness when it comes to expressing emotions. Feelings that we all have inside and that find their way through music. The beauty of the voice is there, but in the end, it is the truth in her singing that brings a tear to our eyes and hearts.
Session Hernandez
"The public will remember what you are able to convey to them"
Maria Callas proposed something that earlier artists she admired such as Rosa Ponselle had already anticipated, but she lived in an era when video, audio, film and television recordings could for the first time amplify the art of 'a singer to the point of making him one of the most influential and famous people of the time, but also of history, to this day. With this he was able to explore and exploit the great capacity of Maria Callas, which was great expressiveness the result of great charisma and, of course, undeniable musicality and technique. What has always amazed me about his art and what has influenced me the most as an artist is that, first, one must be a great technician and work very well on one's musicality, phrasing, technique, etc., but above all that, and at the end of it all, the public will remember what you are able to convey to them, from the truth you carry inside. Empty gestures and virtuosity are not enough. Your personality, what you have to say through singing and the character you play... that's what remains. You can give in at some point with a less orthodox or uglier sound, as long as it is by virtue of the expressiveness and the message. This has always been a premise in what I do and Callas put it into practice tremendously.
Sara Blanch
"We get so much from her! Passion, dedication, delivery..."
For me, Callas is synonymous with truth and authenticity. A musical and also social influence, a turning point in the history of opera. Her way of understanding music and making it was a way of being faithful to the composers and herself, while being generous to others. We take so much from her! His passion, dedication and dedication, his way of understanding music, of being on stage (and also off), the works he recovered and those to which he gave another approach, his professionalism.. Both from his interpretations and interviews, from his life and his person... we can learn from everything continuously!
Serena Saenz
"A unique charisma: I'm passionate about his style and musicality"
Maria Callas is a voice of unique charisma, anyone who listens to her recognizes her without hesitation. Its particularity marked a golden era for the lyric, and exalted the figure of the singer. His multiple recordings are a reference for new generations. The timbre of his voice can be liked more or less, but I am passionate about his style and musicality.
