What Are You Listening To?

[Ruby]

Recently read a historical novel - 'Diva' based on the life of Maria Callas. I've also read a biography before - a long time ago so it was good to refresh, albeit with quite a lot of poetic licence involved on this latter occasion! A fascinating and tragic life - from her childhood to her untimely death. As a result, I have been immersed in YouTube clips - astonishing what you can find - from way back when! What is so interesting to me is that it's a almost as though her singing was torturous, in some ways. She was an absolute slave to the music. Her voice was her instrument and she was a perfectionist - that is why we speak of a Prima Donna - the meaning has been lost. The most important 'voice' in the orchestra. Callas was taught in the old style of operatic singing - 'Bel Canto' - probably one of the last ever to have a true understanding of all that that entailed - and she could act too! Her own persona disappeared on stage and she became the character she was playing. 

The rigors and technicalities of singing at that level are ridiculous - the necessary control requires years and years of training, and it's easy to understand why she had no time for popular music. To her, it simply was not musical. There is so much to this particular artist's story, not least the fame and fortune - which turned out not to be so fortunate - there always seems to be a price to pay. 

I was a bit baffled by the casting of Angeline Jolie to play La Divina in the upcoming movie, but let's see. A role not for the faint of heart!