Maria Callas sings "Casta Diva" (Bellini: Norma, Act 1) 

Unbelievable. This concert was in 1958, 66 years ago and still, no other singer sings like Maria. Who's listening in 2024??

She stood on the stage silent for over 5 minutes and the entire audience was spellbound. You could hear a pin drop. Then she didn’t play Norma she became Norma as she did with every role. She was not only the greatest soprano ever but an intelligent actress, musicologist, multi linguist, teacher, recording artist. Actually, she revived and modernized opera single handed. RIP Ultimate Diva.

63 YO opera nerd here who loves so many gifted opera singers...but she is still my favorite female opera singer.

Am I alone here in 2024 ?

Que estén felices en el cielo, nunca les olvidaremos.

I actually met this incredible singer when I was 16 (I'm 64...edit: now 66). She came to Pittsburgh for a performance, (long past her prime but still revered as a legend) and paid a visit to a music program, sponsored by the city's public school system, in which I was enrolled on Saturdays for musically gifted students (not a snob, the name of the program was actually 'Centers for the Musically Talented' ). The program gave private lessons, theory, ensemble and Master Class lessons for those who were selected. The Master Class periods were classes where local and, at times, national level professionals were brought in to discuss their aspect of music (composition, orchestration, recording, arranging, accompanying, etc.) I had auditioned for, and was admitted to the program, which also included being 'drafted' into the Pittsburgh All-City Choir. At this time, I was your typical, 16-year old long haired, rock-n-rolling, weed-smoking, blue-jeaned hot-rodding teen guy (this was the '70s), singing in two different rock bands, and the only 'opera' or 'classical' songs I knew were the ones that my private-lesson teacher selected weekly for me to develop my voice. So I was unaware of who the top level opera singers of the time were, and so I had NO idea who she was. I can remember on that day, the program's admin people were all in a tizzy about her impending visit. I didn't know that, to them, this was a visit by royalty. So I just figured it would be another class by someone in the (I thought 'boring') opera field, and in whom I had no interest. But to the day I die, (and I mean this most sincerely) I will never forget her voice. Let me tell you, until one hears a world-class opera singer, really opening up their voice, IN A CLOSED ROOM, one has no idea of the sound-level they can generate!! We were in a choir room with the chairs on semi-circular steps. She stood by the piano at the front of the room and I was in about the 5th or 6th row, so about 10 or 12 feet away. She began singing an aria, absolutely beautiful, and the word 'tone' stuck in my mind. As it progressed, she then cranked up and hit a couple of notes that actually made the fabric of my sport-shirt flutter. I mean, I literally FELT it, wondered what was going on, and I looked down in surprise and SAW the fabric of my shirt fluttering in the invisible 'breeze' of her voice. There is no other way to express this : Sheer....pure......natural....unadulterated....POWER!!! Just amazing! At the end of the class, we were allowed to ask questions, and she answered them, usually questions about technique or breathing. Tactless as it seems now in retrospect, I wanted to ask her about her nose and her sinuses, as I had just learned that year from my vocal teacher the role that sinuses play in the timbre of our voices. Her nose was a strong, what they used to call a 'Greco-Roman' nose, and I was so clueless that I actually thought I would be able to ask her about how that contributed to her amazing voice. But when I tried to speak to her, my mouth just didn't seem to be working right, ( I had NEVER been a stutterer but I was that day...) and I KNOW my eyes felt like they were going to pop out of my head... That was the first time in my life that I was actually facing someone, literally FACING them, of whom the term 'larger-than-life' seemed to apply, and it was as intimidating as all hell. She had that kind of face that BELONGED on a stage, HUGE EYES, and even when she was just standing there among us, she was an incredibly imposing figure. That sense of power only really settled into my mind later on, after class. She had the power to COMMAND attention just by standing still. I think she could sense that I was a bit overcome by her 'presence', but no doubt she'd had that experience before, probably ESPECIALLY with teen-age boys. But she was gracious, and she gave me that 1000watt smile and let it go. Just an amazing talent and wonderful person. She passed away too young. RIP Diva Maria!!

Pure, sensitive. humble, stronger and fragile at the same time 🥰🤗❤️ still lisening in 2024❤️🌍🙏

Mi vengono le lacrime quanto emozionante...

Who’s listening to her music during COVID-19? Her music keeps me calm whenever I feel angry, frustrated, sad or upset during a hard time.

Calas was not just an extraordinary voice of a century, but also a great actress, evident here. It made her performing compelling, riveting. She sang from her very soul.

Shivers down the spine

2023, still listening to Maria. Eternal pleasure.

People all over the world listen to her videos. She's a tribute to musicians everywhere. Just by having walked the earth and poured honey in people's ears.

Единственная оперная певица,которая даже дилетантов заставляет понять классику и оперу в частности.Вот в этом и состоит уникальность таких гениев,как Мария Каллас!

Not just her voice, her demeanour, her fingers.... everything ❤

She's so divine that it looks like she's singing for herself, alone at home, took by a suddenly inspiration

Sixty-five years old, but still this recording sends shivers down my spine. Fabulous, wonderful, soaring, glorious. What music. What a voice. What a woman.

Я слушаю в 2024 году и всегда буду с восхищением слушать гениальную Марию Каллас. И мои дети и внуки будут слушать этот божественный голос. Никакие искусственные "интеллекты" не заменят подлинного высокого искусства. НИКОГДА!

Вошла в музыку, как невесомая балерина на цыпочках и растворилась в музыке и сама стала музыкой. Потрясающая способность чувствовать и переживать произведение, и будто больше ничего в мире нет, только этот момент. Чудесный Дар от Бога, красивейший голос и такая утонченность и хрупкость фигуры и манеры держаться на сцене. Никакого "звёздизма", Слава Богу за такой Талант для человечества!!!

We can be a foolish and self-destructive species. But if we are capable of creating something as beautiful as this, you have to feel that there's hope...

Это самый прекрасный голос, который я когда -либо слышала в своей жизни 🙏… Невероятной чистоты, красоты и глубины … Божественно !

Эталон исполнения. Льется звук через душу.

Сколько трагедии в этом исполнении. Я плачу 😢😢 Мария Каллас ❤️ Ничего пронзительней и прекрасней я в своей жизни я не слышала ❤️❤️❤️🌹

Я слушаю в 2024году, и мурашки по коже... Невероятно!

Why is nobody talking how she enjoys the applause? I mean, haven't you guys seen her face after she finished singing? Such an epic moment in history. You're able to tell how relived and delighted she was to see all those people mesmerized at her stunning voice. We'll never see that expression again. Callas was very very unique.

От её исполнения, мурашки по коже! Какая то магия с голосом похожим на какой то волшебный инструмент. ❤️💐👏👏👏

Идеальное исполнение!!!💯👍💐Божественно!🙏🌹🌹🌹Спасибо Марии Каллас🙏

Не понимаю как такой тонкий стан может рождать такой сильный и прекрасный голос. Красота. Полет.

Madam Callas did not just have the gift of this angelic voice. She had beauty (which she never admitted). She spoke 4 languages fluently (French, Italian, greek, and english). Was articulate and extremely sharp and handled interviews gracefully. What a loss to this world that she have died at a young age with a broken heart. Forgot to mention that she was shortsighted and could not see the conductor!!. She was literally singing in her own world.

самое божественное исполнение за последние 70 лет.....никто так не спел.все идет из глубин души,,,чувствуется ее трагичная раненая душа.....

65 years ago today, and completely unmatched. Bravissima, la Divina eterna.

No, I am here same! I with you together! Maria Callas was brilliant singer! The 16th of May 2024.

Потрясающая певица! Мороз по коже… Жаль, что так рано ушла😢 Благословенна ее память🕯

Her vocal placement is exactly the same from the low register, up through the stratosphere. This gives her the most consistent timbre of any soprano I've heard. Amazing control.

MARIA CALLAS E LA DECIMA MUSA! NON C E NIENTE ALTRO DI PIU VERO E DI PIU SUBLIME E DI PIU GRANDE. UNA VOCE IMMORTALE! CHE INFIAMMA LE MENTI UMANE. GRAZIE

Слушала эту арию в исполнении нескольких певиц, но Мария- это шедевр оперного пения ❤! От ее голоса исходит такая волна нежности и силы! Слушать можно бесконечно 🌟🌟🌟.

The most clear pure voice I ever heared ....No womans voice can equal her ever ! Great Maria Callas .

2023 год слушаю и будем слушать божественную Марию Каллас.

Без микрофона!! Какой голос! Душа радуется от ее пения!

From a frail lady we have a voice you can never forget. One listen and you are hooked forever.

The greatest female voice I've ever heard. I've heard many, many great voices in my 80 years, but none like hers. That's why I have collected so many of her operas on CD's over the years.

Many many years ago at Covent Garden I cued all night sleeping bags and all from 18h00 till the time the box office opened in the morning. Unforgettable experience. I would do it again if I could hear her life, I am 81 now!

Непревзойденное исполнение: такой легкости во взятии высоких нот, элегантности, нежности и полетности, филигранности, чувственности, 100% попадания в образ, идеальной расстановки акцентов и контроля дыхания нет больше ни у кого!

For some reason, hearing this make me think that everyone is call to do something in this life, we all have one special thing or talent and we should persue it to the last consequence and perhaps we may, in our own way, achieve something as beautiful and masterful as this

Her voice clear like a mountain spring, fresh like sea breeze coming without effort full of sentiment and passion! I was in Epidavros Greece when she sang "The Puritans" I was just a kid but I cried through all the performance. There will never be another opera singer like her!

I remember seeing her in Paris on a cold, late Autumn evening in the early 1970's. She was at the same crepe stall as me. Very simply dressed. It was after Onassis had dumped her for Jackie Kennedy. She looked so hauntingly sad. To this day, I still wonder how he could have left such a lovely and talented woman. God rest her soul.

Simply devine. That five minute silence! You can see the music transforming her. She becomes the music. Few can get there

Кто сказал, что Мария Какая не красивая?! Она обворожительная красавица!!! А голос божественен 🙏❤❤❤❤

Listening in 2021... unforgettable.... who else?

The way she hugs her tiny fragile frame and THAT voice straight from her wounded heart. Its stunning.

My goodness, the control she has over her voice, unbelievable!

listening in 2024🎉❤

This is a a timeless concert. Maria Callas was not only the most notorious opera singer in the 20th Century, but also the epitome of elegance and beauty.

Сколько лет прошло, а мир все еще восхищается тобой!

The divine and immortal voice of Callas❤

A few years ago I bought a boxed set of CDs of her recordings. Worth every penny. What a voice, what a presence.

Боже, ее уж нет на этом свете, а ее забыть невозможно, этот льющийся из под небес голос, этот облик богини. Мария Каллас это легенда!

Such expressive emotion! Callas pulls you deep into it with her beauty, her eyes and her voice. Timelessly magnificant! So sad that she gave her precious love and talent to an unappreciative brute like Aristotle Onassis ..

Постоянно слушаю эту арию! Божественно! Спасибо , что ты была и есть, Мария!

Голос льется как серебряный ручей, Восхитительно, всё вокруг замирает, и время останавливается,и душа наслаждается дивным исполнением ❤❤❤

She is the female voice which is remembered when you have forgotten all others. There is a spirituality in her flawless singing, and she raises opera to a supreme emotional and physical experience. She is truly unique!

The most amazing thing about her performance was not that it was the perfect performance of the song. Not that she is the epitome of grace. It's the way she makes perfection look effortless. That's genius!

Fabulous, & the diamonds she's wearing!

Great God, what a voice

Не игра в образ, а полное погружение, проникновение в музыку. Поёт естественно, как дышит!

Откуда в такой хрупкой женщине , такой волшебно потрясающий голос ??? Браво !!! Память Вечная Мария !!! ❤️❤️❤️

Это непостижимое волшебство! Слушаю много раз и не могу наслушаться. Тысячу раз БРАВО!

И не называла себя ни Примадонной, ни Королевой, а была и остается непревзойденнной Дивой❤

Божественный голос! Слёзы сами текут из глаз от этого исполнения!❤❤❤

Это то волшебство ,когда я, будучи ребенком, слушала бездыханнно ночами по старенькому радио втихаря от родителей эту прекрасную ,чарующую, отнимающую всю реальность ,неземную мелодию, сделав звук на самую малость и приложив ухо к приемнику. А потом долго еще не могла уснуть, потрясена красотой песни и голоса. Ах, как мне тогда хотелось петь!

Who is listening ?? Well, I am and I simply love it all !

Царица оперного искусства!!!Звезда на Века!!!❤❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉

I can't hear this aria without crying. This piece is not of this world.

María Callas accepted her God given gift of her magnificent voice with respect and shared the world with beauty❤ RIP " Greek Goddess" ❤

I, for one am listening and I am blown away by this performance . It is phenomenal and is etched forever in my soul.

Vine aquí por Mon Laferte y estoy en shock, ambas versiones son fantásticas! Que increíble el arte de cada una 😢

Callas went away, but her voice forever stay.

Божественно ! Какое счастье ,что инет даёт возможность это слышать и видеть! Вечная ,светлая память Марии !🔥

3:36 The look she gives the choir is a classic.

Богиня ❤❤❤❤❤

We are blessed living in this era where performances like this are presented to us, almost for free.. Where we can connect to each other through music of all ages. 💗💗💗

At the end she has the eyes full of tears....she lived the music with all her soul all the time....MASTERPIECE!

Chi rimane indifferente non ascolti musica... Assolutamente fantastica e ad oggi ineguagliabile. 😍

Прекрасно! Душа отдыхает!

Callas's superlative difference lies in the fact that she was the greatest actress or actor among opera singers of the 20th century. Opera is after all theatre, not solely music. Many can sing. and many can act, but very, very few are great singers and great actors altogether.

Как легко, не разевая рот до безобразия, поёт от души, не надрывая связки, тепло, грустно, проникновенно

FANTASTIC. ONLY BECAUSE OF HER I LOVE OPERA. NO ONE MATCHES HER. NOT OF THIS WORLD.

Какое филиграннное и мощное исполнение! Восторг!!! Спасибо за видео. Моя любимая ария и обожаемая Каллас! Непревзойдённая!!!

This is divine. Callas the one and only Diva.

Браво!!!! Браво!!!! Браво!!!! ❤❤❤

There may have been more beautiful women [I cannot think of any!], more sumptuous voices [I cannot think of any!] yet ONLY beautiful Maria Callas could make a person forget the rest! She had that ability to hold us spellbound before she sang a note! When she sang, she told TRUTH with beauty unequaled. Rest in peace, dear beautiful Maria: the best of the Greek heritage, a blessing appreciated too late, and cherished by us whom you have touched. You are dearly missed, Dear, beautiful Maria: La Divina.

Callas’ acting, with deep sorrow and anxiety in her eyes, is as impressive as her voice! RIP, the real diva!

Huge talent, perfect technique, charismatic artist, the greatest soprano of all time.

Только начала слушать, как тут же слёзы сами полились из глаз.Потрясающе, божественно! До глубины души❤

Божественно, полный восторг!🎉🎉🎉

Смотрю в 2022 уже сотый раз. Это потрясение! Так тонко, камерно, чувственно, передав все оттенки эмоций, это исполнено. Какое счастье, что есть эта запись, и мы можем к этому прикоснуться. Просто восхищение! Браво! Вечная память Марии...

No matter what year; what version; with what orchestra, and, whether what I hear is a live recording, or an engineered marvel of studio musical creation, when I listen to this aria in this woman's voice, I tremble, I cry (sometimes openly), and I swear to myself that I will get over this predictable, embarrassing and recurrent emotional reaction. But I really cannot help it. And this has been happening to me for the last 55 years. What can one say or write about Maria Callas that has not been said or written already? Not having had the musical blessing of having heard her voice in person, I thank God for the recording technologies that provide presence to her voice and her art in full display (I hope) forever!

Callas is ethereal. My god, she is beyond compare.

Toujours la même émotion qu’il y a 60 ans quand je l’écoute !!! Divin et galactique…..

Родится же такое диво дивное, чудо чудное.. На радость планете!