Cast a Diva cover art

Cast a Diva

The Hidden Life of Maria Callas

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Cast a Diva

By: Lyndsy Spence
Narrated by: Emily Ellet
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About this listen

Maria Callas (1923-1977) was the greatest opera diva of all time with a career that remains unmatched by any prima donna. Much of her life was overshadowed by her fiery relationship with Aristotle Onassis, who broke her heart when he left her for Jacqueline Kennedy, and her reputation was marred by legendary tantrums on and off the stage.

However, little is known about Callas the woman - a girl who was brought up between New York and Greece, and who was forced to sing by her emotionally abusive mother. She left her family behind in Greece for an international career and was feted by royalty and Hollywood stars. A self-made woman, she fought sexism to rise to the top, but there was one thing she wanted but could not have: a happy private life. Fame provided celebrity and riches, but her last days were spent as a recluse in her Paris apartment, listening to her old recordings and addicted to prescription drugs.

In Cast a Diva, best-selling author Lyndsy Spence reveals the incredible story of a woman who was a true feminist icon.

©2021 Lyndsy Spence (P)2021 Tantor Entertainment & Celebrities Celebrity Career Funny Heartfelt Greece

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All stars
Most relevant  
What a diva right enough. Probably the worst thing she did was meet Onassis . It ruined her life. Absolutely loved this book. Gripping from start to end. The vultures after she dies is ridiculous aswell.

Maria

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Throughly enjoyed this book,
Always loved her amazing voice,
But finished this book wishing she had been a nicer person,It was me me me ,
She really should have taken control of her own destiny, instead of falling for married men , whom were all arseholes

Loved it

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I absolutely loved this book. So interesting, well-written & moving. Thoroughly recommend for Maria Callas fans

Wonderful book, wonderfully narrated

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A very detailed book on the woman and star that was Maria Callas. Let down and abused by the men in her life, the book's writer has an inside track on the loves and losses in Maria's life. Excellently written, and a beautiful reader as befits a text on the world's most accomplished opera singer.

The reader's lovely clear voice brought this book to life!

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Maria Kallas had an amazing voice and so does Emily Ellet! Amazing story telling ability and a very well written book that reveals a lot of little details about the life of this opera legend!

One of my favorites!

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I listened to recordings of Callas singing with awe at her fabulous voice and expertise. Exquisite singing. This book does not do her justice. It talks of misogyny, vicious reviews in the press, and interpersonal fights without any critical assessment of the sources or contextualisation. Being a professional woman in the post Second World War era meant fighting to be taken seriously. This book doesn’t capture that battle. Instead it casts Callas in the role of a neurotic woman obsessed by her weight and lack of children. For Callas to have achieved her success she clearly had more to her than any private regrets like that.
The world of the opera singer sounds like a tough place in the 1950s.

Unsympathetic portrait

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