Callas, Maria Meneghini

Callas, Maria Meneghini (märē`ä mĕnĕgē`nē kä`läs), 1923–77, Greek-American soprano, b. New York City. At 13, Callas moved to Greece, where she studied at the Royal Conservatory in Athens. Her professional debut took place in 1947 at Verona. In 1949, Callas married the Italian industrialist Giovanni Battide Meneghini; they separated in 1959. She first appeared at La Scala (Milan) in 1950, at Covent Garden (London) in 1952, and at the Metropolitan Opera in 1956. Callas is celebrated for her dramatic intensity and versatility. Her acting in Pasolini's film Medea (1970) was widely acclaimed.