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Maria Callas in pictures: the most iconic images of the great soprano
With a career on the biggest opera stages in the world to draw from, we celebrate the great Maria Callas in pictures. Discover her life with these iconic, genre-defining images.
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1. Maria Callas in the Ritz hotel
Maria Callas in front of the Ritz hotel, Place Vendôme, Paris, December 1958. Picture: Roger-Viollet/ ArenaPAL
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2. Maria Callas signing autographs
Maria Callas signing autographs with Greek shipping tycoon Aristotele Onassis during the XVIII Venice International Film Festival. Venice, 1957. Picture: akg/ Archivio Mario De Biasi distribuito da Mondadori Portfolio
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3. Maria Callas in Ischia
Ischia, 1956 Credit: Marzotto Archive Collection
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4. Maria Callas in Ischia, 1956
Ischia, 1956 Credit: Marzotto Archive Collection
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5. Maria Callas in Ischia
Ischia, 1956 Credit: Marzotto Archive Collection
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6. Maria Callas on holiday in Ischia
Ischia, 1956 Credit: Marzotto Archive Collection
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7. Maria Callas in Ischua 1956
Ischia, 1956 Credit: Marzotto Archive Collection
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8. Ischia, 1956
Ischia, 1956 Credit: Marzotto Archive Collection
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9. Maria Callas in Ischia, 1956
Ischia, 1956 Credit: Marzotto Archive Collection
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10. Maria Callas in Ischia, 1956
Ischia, 1956 Credit: Marzotto Archive Collection
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11. Maria Callas on holiday in Ischia, 1956
Ischia, 1956 Credit: Marzotto Archive Collection
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12. Maria Callas in 1956
Credit: Marzotto Archive Collection
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13. Maria Callas on Ischia in 1956
Ischia, 1956 Credit: Marzotto Archive Collection
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14. Maria Callason holiday in Ischia, 1956
Credit: Marzotto Archive Collection
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15. Maria Callas on holiday in Palm Beach, 1974
Holiday in Palm Beach, 1974 Credit: Marzotto Archive Collection
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16. Maria Callas in Ischia
Ischia, 1956 Credit: Marzotto Archive Collection
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17. Maria Callas, 1956
Ischia, 1956 Credit: Marzotto Archive Collection
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18. Ischia, 1956
Ischia, 1956 Credit: Marzotto Archive Collection
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19. Maria Callas on holiday in 1974
Holiday in Palm Beach, 1974 Credit: Marzotto Archive Collection
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20. Palm Beach, 1974
Credit: Marzotto Archive Collection
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21. Maria Callas on Ischia, 1956
Ischia, 1956 Credit: Marzotto Archive Collection
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22. Maria Callas on holiday in Palm Beach, 1974
Holiday in Palm Beach, 1974 Credit: Marzotto Archive Collection
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23. Maria Callas in 1974
Holiday in Palm Beach, 1974 Credit: Marzotto Archive Collection
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24. Maria Callas in Palm Beach
Holiday in Palm Beach, 1974 Credit: Marzotto Archive Collection
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25. Backstage
Callas in her dressing room at the Royal Opera House in London, returning to normal after a performance. Picture: Getty
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26. Leaving La Scala
A reminder of her star status - Callas is mobbed by admirers after her last performance at La Scala. Picture: Getty
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27. In Medea
Maria Callas in formidable form in 'Medea'. Picture: Getty
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28. Signing autographs
Always fond of her admirers, Callas signs autographs. Picture: Getty
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29. In conversation
Captured, wryly, mid-conversation. Picture: Getty
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30. Backstage at La Scala
Backstage with the cast of Donizetti's 'Poliuto' at La Scala, Milan. Picture: Getty
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31. Dancing with Onassis
Maria at a party in Monte Carlo, dancing with Aristotle Onassis. Picture: Getty
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32. Flowers everywhere
Taking the applause (and the flowers) at London's Royal Festival Hall. Picture: Getty
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33. Pure Callas
Every inch the megastar, Callas in transit. Picture: Getty
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34. Cracking hat
Picture: Getty
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35. In London
Callas on a trip to London. Picture: Getty
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36. With her dogs
Hand luggage only? Callas escorts her dogs through Orly airport in Paris. Picture: Getty
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37. On the set of Medea
On the set of 'Medea', with Italian film director Pier Paolo Pasolini. Picture: Getty
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38. With Aristotle
Callas and her lover, Greek-born financier Aristotle Onassis. Picture: Getty
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39. Portrait
The soprano in portrait, early on in her career. Picture: Getty
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40. Stepping off the plane
The soprano arrives in Milan's Malpensa airport. Picture: Getty
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41. Travelling light
Arriving at Idlewild airport in New York. Picture: Getty
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42. In the studio
Callas records that legendary soprano voice. Picture: Getty
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43. A heroine's welcome
Taking the applause at the Odeon theatre in Paris. Picture: Getty
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44. Listening back
Listening back to a recording with conductor Tullio Serafin and tenor Feruccio Tagliavini. Picture: Getty
