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.

1. Maria Callas in the Ritz hotel

Maria Callas in front of the Ritz hotel, Place Vendôme, Paris, December 1958. Picture: Roger-Viollet/ ArenaPAL
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
3. Maria Callas in Ischia

Ischia, 1956 Credit: Marzotto Archive Collection
4. Maria Callas in Ischia, 1956

Ischia, 1956 Credit: Marzotto Archive Collection
5. Maria Callas in Ischia

Ischia, 1956 Credit: Marzotto Archive Collection
6. Maria Callas on holiday in Ischia

Ischia, 1956 Credit: Marzotto Archive Collection
7. Maria Callas in Ischua 1956

Ischia, 1956 Credit: Marzotto Archive Collection
8. Ischia, 1956

Ischia, 1956 Credit: Marzotto Archive Collection
9. Maria Callas in Ischia, 1956

Ischia, 1956 Credit: Marzotto Archive Collection
10. Maria Callas in Ischia, 1956

Ischia, 1956 Credit: Marzotto Archive Collection
11. Maria Callas on holiday in Ischia, 1956

Ischia, 1956 Credit: Marzotto Archive Collection
12. Maria Callas in 1956

Credit: Marzotto Archive Collection
13. Maria Callas on Ischia in 1956

Ischia, 1956 Credit: Marzotto Archive Collection
14. Maria Callason holiday in Ischia, 1956

Credit: Marzotto Archive Collection
15. Maria Callas on holiday in Palm Beach, 1974

Holiday in Palm Beach, 1974 Credit: Marzotto Archive Collection
16. Maria Callas in Ischia

Ischia, 1956 Credit: Marzotto Archive Collection
17. Maria Callas, 1956

Ischia, 1956 Credit: Marzotto Archive Collection
18. Ischia, 1956

Ischia, 1956 Credit: Marzotto Archive Collection
19. Maria Callas on holiday in 1974

Holiday in Palm Beach, 1974 Credit: Marzotto Archive Collection
20. Palm Beach, 1974

Credit: Marzotto Archive Collection
21. Maria Callas on Ischia, 1956

Ischia, 1956 Credit: Marzotto Archive Collection
22. Maria Callas on holiday in Palm Beach, 1974

Holiday in Palm Beach, 1974 Credit: Marzotto Archive Collection
23. Maria Callas in 1974

Holiday in Palm Beach, 1974 Credit: Marzotto Archive Collection
24. Maria Callas in Palm Beach

Holiday in Palm Beach, 1974 Credit: Marzotto Archive Collection
25. Backstage

Callas in her dressing room at the Royal Opera House in London, returning to normal after a performance. Picture: Getty
26. Leaving La Scala

A reminder of her star status - Callas is mobbed by admirers after her last performance at La Scala. Picture: Getty
27. In Medea

Maria Callas in formidable form in 'Medea'. Picture: Getty
28. Signing autographs

Always fond of her admirers, Callas signs autographs. Picture: Getty
29. In conversation

Captured, wryly, mid-conversation. Picture: Getty
30. Backstage at La Scala

Backstage with the cast of Donizetti's 'Poliuto' at La Scala, Milan. Picture: Getty
31. Dancing with Onassis

Maria at a party in Monte Carlo, dancing with Aristotle Onassis. Picture: Getty
32. Flowers everywhere

Taking the applause (and the flowers) at London's Royal Festival Hall. Picture: Getty
33. Pure Callas

Every inch the megastar, Callas in transit. Picture: Getty
34. Cracking hat

Picture: Getty
35. In London

Callas on a trip to London. Picture: Getty
36. With her dogs

Hand luggage only? Callas escorts her dogs through Orly airport in Paris. Picture: Getty
37. On the set of Medea

On the set of 'Medea', with Italian film director Pier Paolo Pasolini. Picture: Getty
38. With Aristotle

Callas and her lover, Greek-born financier Aristotle Onassis. Picture: Getty
39. Portrait

The soprano in portrait, early on in her career. Picture: Getty
40. Stepping off the plane

The soprano arrives in Milan's Malpensa airport. Picture: Getty
41. Travelling light

Arriving at Idlewild airport in New York. Picture: Getty
42. In the studio

Callas records that legendary soprano voice. Picture: Getty
43. A heroine's welcome

Taking the applause at the Odeon theatre in Paris. Picture: Getty
44. Listening back

Listening back to a recording with conductor Tullio Serafin and tenor Feruccio Tagliavini. Picture: Getty