Callas [Kalogeropoulou], Maria (Anna Sophia Cecilia) ([ Maria Kalogeropoulou]) (b Manhattan, NY, 1923; d Paris, 1977). Amer.-born soprano of Gr. parentage. Studied with Sp. coloratura sop. Elvira de Hidalgo from 1940. Début Athens 1940 (Beatrice in Suppé's Boccaccio), as Tosca (1942), and as Leonore in Fidelio (1944). It. début Verona, 1947, in La gioconda, cond. by Tullio Serafin. Among her roles at this time were Isolde, Brünnhilde, Kundry, and Turandot. Potentialities recognized by Serafin when, in 1949, she was singing Brünnhilde in Venice. Prima donna engaged as Elvira for next opera, Bellini's I Puritani, fell ill and Serafin suggested Callas as substitute. Her singing of a bel canto role in the powerful, dramatic way the composer intended was a revelation. Not since Lilli Lehmann had a sop. encompassed Wagnerian roles and the coloratura repertory. With Serafin and de Sabata, Callas revived operas wholly or relatively neglected in It. for over a century, incl. Rossini's Armida and Il turco in Italia, Cherubini's Médée, Spontini's La vestale, Donizetti's Anna Bolena, and Bellini's Il pirata, thereby changing the face of the post–1945 opera repertory. First sang at La Scala April 1950 (Aida). From then until 1958 reigned supreme there, earning title La divina in her vivid portrayals of Norma, Lady Macbeth, and Violetta, working with de Sabata, Giulini, Bernstein, and Karajan as conds., and the producers Visconti and Zeffirelli. Voice not always beautiful but musicianship was impeccable, insight remarkable, and acting ability exceptional, so that she presented her roles as organic wholes. Her Norma, Tosca, and Violetta were unforgettable examples of dramatic opera singing-acting, linking her in this branch of her art to the legendary names of Malibran and Schröder-Devrient. Sang at CG 1952–3 (début as Norma), 1957–9, and 1964. Amer. début at Chicago, 1954, and at NY Met 1956 (both as Norma). Private life was lived in the glare of publicity inseparable from such a magnetic personality. Retired from stage 1965 (last perf. was as Tosca at CG 5 July 1965) but continued to record and gave some concerts in 1973 and 1974. Also worked as producer and teacher.