Maria Callas

Maria Callas, born Maria Cecilia Sophia Anna Kalogeropoulos (born December 2 1923, New York; died September 16 1977, Paris) was a renowned soprano, one of the best performers of her day.

Early life
Callas was born the daughter of Greek immigrants in New York on December 2nd, 1923. In 1937 she left the United States of America and went to the Athens conservatory, where she studied under Elvira de Hidalgo, accompanied by her mother. She sang in 'Cavalleria rusticana' and 'Boccaccio' and returned to the United States in 1945.

Performing career
Her main career began in August 1947 when she appeared in a performance of La Giaconda in Verona. She then, under the tutelage of composer Tullio Serafin, performed in Florence, Turin and Venice. Her final operatic performance took place in 1965.