Maria Callas
Maria Callas is undoubtedly one of the most exciting and influential opera singers during the post-war period. There was no denying that the magic of her personality made her every move newsworthy. In 1974, Callas gave her last public performances at Carnegie Hall—two joint recitals with the tenor Giuseppe Di Stefano.
While Callas made her public debut at the age of 17 in 1941, her United States debut wasn’t until 1954 at Chicago Lyric Opera. By the time of her Metropolitan Opera debut in 1956, her reputation was big enough to trigger long lines at the box office whenever her performances were announced.
The New York Times referred to Callas as “the most exciting opera singer of her time.” She was well-known for her wide vocal range, intensely dramatic interpretations, and revitalizing the bel canto operas of Bellini, Donizetti, and Rossini, which had been mostly neglected.
“You are born an artist or you are not. And you stay an artist, dear, even if your voice is less of a fireworks. The artist is always there.
Callas appeared at Carnegie Hall three times, the first in 1959 alongside the American Opera Society in Bellini’s Il pirata. While there are commercial recordings available, the source records were actually pirated from the live performance—a “punny” fun fact courtesy of our archivists.
Callas didn’t return to Carnegie Hall until 1974 as part of an international tour with tenor Giuseppe Di Stefano. The duo was scheduled for three performances, though the second was cancelled due to Di Stefano’s illness. Their final concert on April 15 marked the last time Callas would perform at the Hall.
From the Archives
Maria Callas at Carnegie Hall
Carnegie Hall’s performance history database covers more than 50,000 concerts and events that occurred at Carnegie Hall from its opening in 1891 to the present. Explore events related to Maria Callas (these links will open in a new tab with the performance history search tools):
- First Appearance: American Opera Society, January 27, 1959
- Final Appearance: Maria Callas and Giuseppe Di Stefano, April 15, 1974
- Detailed Appearance History
Photography: Digital portrait of Callas by Stanley Chow, Callas and Nicola Rescigno by Ben Martin, Callas by Ben Martin, flyer courtesy of the Carnegie Hall Rose Archives.