María Callas, an icon of opera and fashion, lived through intense romances while facing relentless social pressure.
María Callas, known as one of the most illustrious opera artists, earned the nickname “La Divina” after a singing career that was short-lived but showcased her passion and expressive style to the world. Her talent was heavily exploited by her family, her husband, and also by her lover, Aristotle Onassis, who later left her for Jackie Kennedy.
The artist entered the world of high culture, merging it with pop culture, but without abandoning her main style. Her performances captured the attention of world-renowned repertoires such as ‘La Scala in Milan’ and the ‘Metropolitan Opera in New York.’ She collaborated with Luchino Visconti, Franco Zeffirelli, and Leonard Bernstein, as well as Pier Paolo Pasolini.
She also appeared on television broadcasts, such as ‘The Ed Sullivan Show’ in 1956, where she sang Vissi d’arte (I Lived for Art), an aria from Giacomo Puccini’s 1899 opera Tosca.
From 1960 onward, although her voice began to deteriorate, she continued fighting to keep her career alive. For many years, she suffered from the pressure of her status, and at the age of 53, she died of a heart attack in Paris.
In the 21st century, Callas has been brought back to life as a hologram on tour. Actresses like Fanny Ardant have portrayed her in Zeffirelli’s biopic ‘Callas Forever‘, and Angelina Jolie will star in the upcoming film Maria, directed by Chilean filmmaker Pablo Larraín.
Her Style and Fashion Evolution
Black was her signature color, and she knew how to accessorize to completely transform a simple garment in this shade. Some of the theatricality she displayed in her performances also made its way into her personal style.
She had an impeccable understanding of fashion, thanks to Elvira Leonardi Bouyeure, her stylist and designer responsible for her looks. Gloves, hats, evening gowns, and jewelry, especially from Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels, are the trademarks that define the Callas style.
“Whenever a cape dress or batwing sleeves appear on the runway, we can bet the designer has been listening to a Callas aria in their spare time.” This is how The New York Times summarized the singer’s influence on brands like Valentino and Dolce & Gabbana.
The Lovers in María Callas’s Life
Although María Callas was deeply in love with her lover, Aristotle Onassis, this didn’t stop her from visiting the shipowner Panaghis Vergottis in February 1962 while Aristotle was away. Some theories suggest this was due to Onassis’s cold treatment of her, which never became public. Their relationship had become a living hell, they were never married, and Onassis controlled Callas at will.
Throughout her life, the artist also had two other lovers, one of whom was Renato Cioni, who particularly caught her attention. In her words, “He’s so handsome it hurts not to have him.” She was also comforted by film director Pasolini, who said the only other woman he had loved besides his mother was María, though he was publicly known as homosexual.
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