Why a Booktrail?
1950s: Maria Callas is known simply as la divina: the divine one of the opera world.
DIVA
What you need to know before your trail
With her glorious voice, instinctive flair for the dramatic and striking beauty, she’s the toast of the grandest opera houses in the world. Yet her fame has been hard won: raised in Nazi-occupied Greece by a mother who mercilessly exploited her, Maria learned early in life how to protect herself.
When she meets the fabulously rich shipping magnate, Aristotle Onassis, her isolation melts away. For the first time in her life, she believes she’s found a man who sees the woman rather than the legendary soprano. Desperately in love, Onassis introduces her to a life of unbelievable luxury, mixing with celebrities like Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton and the Duke and Duchess of Windsor.
And then, suddenly, it’s over. The international press announce that Onassis will marry the most famous woman in the world, former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, leaving Maria to pick up the pieces.
Locations
Reset- Greece - Athens
- A: Patision
- B: Athens Conservatoire
- C: Syntagma Square
- France - Paris
- D: Av. Georges Mandel
- E: Opéra National De Paris
- America/USA - New York
- F: Terence Cardinal Cooke Health Care Center
- G: Metropolitan Opera House
Travel Guide
Maria Callas
Maria Callas (December 2, 1923 – September 16, 1977) was an American-born Greek soprano who was one of the most renowned and influential opera singers of the 20th century.
Born in Manhattan, to Greek immigrant parents, she was raised by an overbearing mother who had wanted a son. Nevertheless, she studied hard and became the diva she is known for being today.
She later suffered from near-sightedness that left her nearly blind onstage. Due to that, she endured struggles and scandal over the course of her career. During her career she lost weight and that contributed to her vocal decline and the premature end of her career.
Booktrailer Review
I think you know when you are reading a very good writer – when the person/themes they are writing about aren’t those you are particularly interested in BUT you can’t stop reading!
I don’t know anything about Maria Callas. I don’t particularly like opera. HOWEVER this is a story about a woman with a talent, a voice and a determination to succeed. Her family story, her first marriage, her love life and relationships with other singers – I found this fascinating. Utterly fascinating. Daisy Goodwin manages to pull you inside the head of a women so different from yourself, and make you feel as if you know her inside out.
Some of this is fact and some is fiction – but what a story and what a beautiful, raw, poignant and musical way of telling it.
Recommended!
BookTrail Boarding Pass: DIVA
Destination/Location: Athens, Paris, New York City Author: Daisy Goodwin Departure: 1950s
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