Χρόνια Πολλά!

Maria Callas was born in New York on 2 December 1923. She went to rest in the bosom of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob on 16 September 1977.

In this age of sottish and soulless starlets who pass for divas, Maria Callas still stirs the heart and fires the imagination of those who love opera. She is immortal.

Read “Re-visioning Callas.” Please also read my tribute to Maria Callas on the thirtieth anniversary of her death.

33 ans déjà

Today is the birthday into eternal life of Maria Callas. She left this earthly realm on September 16, 1977.

I invite you to read my tribute to Maria Callas from 2007.

My knowledge of Greek Orthodox practices is more or less nil, but I understand that it is customary to give alms in memory of the dead. Since Maria Callas was devoted to the Theotokos, “La vergine degli angeli” from Verdi’s La forza del destino seems fitting music and a fitting sentiment with which to remember her.

I think, too, that we can say prayers of thanks for the infinite beauty that Maria Callas brought and continues to bring to us.

Grazie, Divina!

Not Callas but LGBT Pride Month

President Barack Obama proclaimed that June 2010 is Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month in the United States.

In honor of this occasion, I will tweet a quip, link, or song a day to celebrate our LGBT sisters and brothers.

Please join me on Twitter at @revisioncallas.

Coming soon: A post or posts about Maria Callas and the LGBT community.