There are two people in me.
I would like to be Maria,
but there is La Callas which I must be up to.
I do with both as much as possible.
And in a crucial moment, who wins? Maria or Callas?
I would like to that the two go together,
because Callas was Maria,
in my singing and in my work,
I was true to myself at every moment.
I did not do anything by cheating, I worked honestly.
So Maria was ...
If someone tries to listen to me, truly,
he will find everything about me.
My friends
I came
At the call of love
I came
At the threshold of love
Where does destiny fit
Who lives and who dies
Mrs Callas, underlines a music critic,
restored the old luster of the title of Prima Donna.
Leonard Bernstein call it "pure electricity".
- Good evening, Mrs Callas. - Good evening, Mr Murrow.
- And welcome to your home. - Thank you so much.
Many people have the impression that you are Italian
and ignore that in fact you have grew up in New York. It's just ?
Yes, not only I was born in New York,
and not in Brooklyn as they say.
Not that Brooklyn is a problem, but just for the sake of truth.
I was raised in America, At New York,
and I'm pretty proud of it.
What are your memories the most outstanding of school time?
Well, happy days, I must say, days of carelessness.
The director was very severe and he kept saying:
"Children, control yourself. Remember it all your life. "
I'm trying.
Even if it's hard, sometimes to remember.
And also, I sang every time at the end of the year shows.
You know, I was the little singer of the school.
I sang operettas,
and I played the Chinese princes, the sailors,
this kind of things, as far as I can remember.
I never knew how to pronounce your name. Do you want to do it for me?
- In Greek ? - In Greek.
- Ready ? - Yes.
Kalogeropoulou.
You see, it's a bit long.
That's why did your father change it to "Callas"?
Yes, I'm afraid.
It was already done before I can not tell the difference.
My mother was rather ambitious
and my father was holding that I have a musical education.
I started piano lessons at 8 years old.
I find it cruel, in fact,
forgive me, but he should there is a law against that.
Children should not suffer from such responsibilities.
They do not last long.
Children should have a wonderful childhood.
I did not have that chance. I would have liked.
We left for Greece in 1937.
I had just entered college
and I had to go to Greece, and I could not continue school there
because my mother had decided that I will be a singer.
Did you like your childhood? You have benefited from your youth?
Yes. The little I had, I took advantage.
Then you went to Greece and there you go were trapped during the whole war?
Yes.
What memories do you remember?
It was hard.
I must admit it was hard, but ...
it does not hurt to go through hardships.
As soon as I arrived in Greece, I was put in the conservatory,
but I had an age problem.
The problem, I was only 13,
and I could not enter at the conservatoire before 17 years old.
But I was great for my age
and I could easily justify this lie.
It was the first lie of my life!
I would have preferred to have a happy family and children.
I think it is the main vocation of a woman.
But destiny took me in this career.
I could not get out ...
and I was forced quite often
first by my mother, then by my husband.
I would have abandoned it with pleasure.
But destiny is destiny and it's without a way out.
Chaste Goddess
Whose silver light illuminates
These ancient sacred plants
Turn to us
Your beautiful face
Turn to us ...
Your beautiful face
Clear
And without a veil
Temper, in Dismiss
Temper the fiery hearts
Temper still
Their bold zeal
Repeating on earth
This peace
Repeating on earth ...
This peace that you make reign ...
To the sky
You have the reputation to be a good actress.
You consider that it is necessary?
Oh yes ! And how !
I do not think you would want an artist, a real artist
who does not know how to play.
I'm sure not.
You would not even go to the opera anymore.
The opera can be a futile thing,
but that can also be the most beautiful thing in the world.
You also have the reputation
to be one of the artists the most stormy in the world.
I do not see what you mean "stormy".
There was a lot of noise around that
and I do not really understood the meaning.
Due to force majeure,
the representation is canceled.
OUTSIDE THE CALLAS!
Farewell
The past
The beautiful smiling dreams
The roses of my face
Already are faded
Alfredo's love
I still miss
Comfort and support
From my exhausted soul
Comfort...
And support ...
Ah, mice at the desire of the misguided
Forgive the
Welcomes it
O God
Everything is finished
Now everything is finished
Welcome to Chicago! How are you ?
Thank you. Good thanks.
Why do not you talk to the press?
You have bad press because you do not talk to us.
Can we talk about the Rome incident?
I do not talk about it. The subject is closed for me.
I am here for Chicago.
Thank you gentlemen.
Mrs Callas, these last years,
especially since that you are associated with the Met,
you have been the target of a sum considerable bad publicity.
How do you explain that?
I was trained in exhausting situations.
As you well know.
And yet, I have always shown calm and patience.
Time heals many things,
and I'm sure the time will prove what I really am.
I arrived at the point where it took decide if it was Mrs. Callas
who ran the Met, or me.
And at that moment, it was me,
and I said it.
And I ended our contract.
So you really fired Maria Callas from the Metropolitan?
If you want to use that ugly word, Yes that's right.
But I do not believe it that Maria Callas be fired,
she is cut off of our relationship.
Why in Dallas and not here? That's what I would like to ask him.
Why he does not these representations to the Met?
I will be there with pleasure.
Did he need to go say: "Ah, she's unbearable!" ?
I'm sure he saw so many people more unbearable.
He completely ... avenged on me
for all things that others did to him.
It's an unhappy destiny. I was not lucky.
My other colleagues hurt him more than me.
Basically, I'm sure, he respects me and he loves me.
But he's a weak man,
and I guess I pay for so many others ...
Like a vase that fills, and I was the drop of water too much.
Yes, there was an argument, I just refused the contract the following year
because he offered me the old repertory,
that is to say, the old directed by Norma,
that you have all seen ...
That you have sung so many times.
The Norma, The Barber of Seville, La Traviata, Lucia ...
I said, "No, sorry, I do not do in the routine.
"I want new representations, well staged. "
You know, like here.
A little new blood, as in Dallas, good God!
I guess that made him angry.
I do not know. I do not explain it otherwise.
Yesterday I received a telegram who said, "Answer or ..."
Yesterday around 15:30, I think ...
before my departure for the theater.
He said :
"Reply by tomorrow, or the agreement will be void and our contract completed. "
I do not know what took him.
I'm sorry, but I can not make those lousy representations
and I can not change my partner at each performance.
Each representation, if there is 10 Macbeth,
there are 10 different tenors and 10 baritones.
So sorry, I can not do that. This is not art.
So much to say to each other, now that we are thrown.
Do you know that last year,
I had to do Traviata without ever seeing the sets?
Never seen the decorations before, never met my partners.
Do you find that normal ? Is it serious for a theater?
And I never said anything, only my friends knew.
When you are not busy to record or listen to an opera ...
I know what you are going to ask. What am I doing, is not it?
- Recreation ? - Nothing. Nothing.
I'm just living a human life.
I take a lot of fresh air.
Even if it's raining, I'm going out, Too bad if I'm wet.
I do some cooking. I love to cook.
My husband just bought
a small house by a lake, and a small motorboat.
In Italy ?
Yes, and I'm dying to learn to drive this little thing.
Just go there and have fun.
I admit that I have a hobby very ridiculous and embarrassing.
My husband always makes me walk on this subject.
It's something... A craze, if you want.
I love recipes!
I could never use it,
but when I find a recipe in a newspaper or magazine,
I tear it and stick it in a notebook.
This is the only real hobby I have, Is not that ridiculous?
I know it is. Here !
I will send you a recipe that I found the other day.
Oh thank you, I would love!
... because I do not cook if I can avoid it.
There is another hobby, that I would like to have is the carillon.
The only problem, I have a good ear too.
When I hear something I do not like, it annoys me,
but I love the chimes.
I'm afraid of being old-fashioned even with that.
Old game or not, have you ever considered to do musicals?
Well, I was offered musicals, I can admit.
But it would go a little too far.
You imagine me, the tragedian, singing a musical!
Even if I admit that I would take a certain pleasure.
Oh, we annoy the dog!
It's my little ... The little monster of the house!
- What is his name ? - Toy.
What other name to give to such a small thing?
Oh, how cute you are!
My treasure...
My joy...
It's harder for a woman
to lead an extraordinary family life than a career.
- To reconcile the two? - I made a career ... It's impossible.
I doubt we can at once to be a good mother,
and lead a wonderful career.
- Not with my work. It does not work. - Really ?
It's a full-time job, my career.
I'm dying to to ask you a question,
but I do not know how.
Mr. Aristotle Onassis is a mutual friend, a very good friend,
and I think that he is a delicious man.
What are you his great qualities?
Oh, you can ask ...
We are the best friends, I always said it.
I'm sure he considers me like his best friend.
And it's already a lot in life.
He is charming.
Very sincere.
Spontaneous.
All very beautiful qualities.
You met long ago ?
In 1957, I believe, in Venice.
We were on the beach, we met and have become good friends.
We stayed and will stay.
All our life, we hope.
Please, why are you leaving Dallas?
- Sorry. I can not talk. - When will you go to Italy?
I leave this afternoon with the jet.
How do you apprehend the court hearing that's coming?
I do not give an interview, Gentlemen.
What do you think of this disagreement in Dallas?
I do not give an interview.
Have you had problems in Dallas?
Not at all. I do not give an interview.
Do not push me, please.
- Are you going to marry Mr. Onassis? - No interview. That's enough now !
You smile now.
Why not ? When you are nice, I smile.
We will try to be nice.
- If you jostle me, I do not like it. - It was not wanted.
- If you stay still ... - I have to walk.
Do you hope this trip to Italy will end this romantic quarrel?
This is not a romantic quarrel. It's a separation, that's all.
Have you spoken to Mr. Onassis?
I talk to all my friends.
Do you hope to see Mr. Onassis in Europe?
I hope to see all my friends, including Mr. Onassis, and why not.
I will not answer any more questions.
That's all gentlemen.
MENEGHINI AGAINST CALLAS
It would be so nice to go home
and to have a solid shoulder on which to lean.
I was hoping for that from my husband.
I was wrong.
Glory has gone to his head.
Glory goes to the head others, not mine.
Glory terrifies me because he do not live well up there.
But around you, people get drunk, it is a wine that goes to their heads.
I thought that he was a good person.
With my mother we did not get along, and I was alone,
and I thought he really loved me.
But I'm afraid he did not like than what I represented.
He wanted so much May I be the Divina!
He was contemptuous with others
while he was nothing special.
You say that you have been persecuted. What period are you talking about?
Oh, when I separated from my husband,
it was very hard, and the two years before.
I do not know why, it became a fashion to attack me ...
And I'm not one to defend myself because I find it useless.
First, journalists always have the last word,
it's useless to fight.
And... I do not like to defend myself.
I want to believe that time will do things well.
How were you blamed ...?
I was criticized for things, I was misunderstood.
They said that I was explosive, stormy,
that I canceled representations and this, and that ... It was endless.
Yes, I canceled performances, but less than other singers.
I was very famous, I suppose it's still a compliment,
but when I was not in good health, I could not sing.
So I was criticized ... and you know
these things hurt you.
So at some point, you have to know how to rest for ...
put things in perspective and ...
You said you wanted to divorce as soon as the law passes in Italy ...
Yes. I have been separated for 11 years.
It's a long time!
I confirm what is said:
you really changed, you are a new woman.
Are you happy?
I am much happier than before,
but no artist would know really be happy.
He even says that your voice has changed, in its quality.
An artist develops with the years.
Let's say we become a pet,
whereas before, we did things by instinct.
I always do it ...
By the way, if you come to two of my representations,
you will never see the same thing,
because I believe that everything must be given on the moment,
instinctively.
But we also learn, we suffer, we evolve, we gain maturity.
So inevitably, from year to year,
we change our interpretation.
But I need to feel what I do.
I need to appreciate people to be with them.
I could never learn the art of being hypocritical.
I would have liked.
Love is a rebellious child
that no one can tame
And it is in vain that it is called
If he agrees to refuse
Nothing works, threat or prayer
One speaks well, the other is silent
And that's the other one I prefer
He did not say anything, but he likes me
Love ...
Love is a child of Bohemia
He never, never knew a law
If you do not love me, I love you
If I love you, take care of yourself
If you do not love me
If you do not love me, I love you
But if I love you
If I love you
Beware
If you do not love me
If you do not love me, I love you
But if I love you
If I love you, take care of yourself
The bird that you thought to surprise
Battled the wing and flew away
Love is far away, you can wait for it
You do not expect him anymore, he is there
All around you, fast, fast
He comes, goes, then comes back
And you think to hold it, it avoids you
You think you avoid him, he's holding you
Love ...
Love is a child of Bohemia
He never, never knew a law
If you do not love me, I love you
If I love you, take care of yourself
If you do not love me
If you do not love me, I love you
But if I love you
If I love you
Beware
If you do not love me
If you do not love me, I love you
And if I love you
If I love you
Beware
Since 2 months, I do not open the mouth only to laugh,
God be praised!
I did not repeat daily since a long time,
and I may stumble a bit.
I reread the lyrics at the last moment.
So I will do my best.
I lived art
I lived in love
I never hurt
To a living soul
With a stealthy hand
How many miseries did I not help
Always with sincere faith
My prayer
Towards the holy tabernacles stood
Always with sincere faith
I wore flowers at the altar
At the hour of pain
Why, why, Lord
Why reward me this way?
I gave my jewels
In the mantle of the Madonna
And I offered my song
To the stars, to heaven, who smiled more beautiful
At the hour of pain
Why, why, Lord
Why reward me ...
So ?
When you look at your path, would you like to change some things
Or would you keep all as is?
I would keep the whole thing as it is, my God !
I never dreamed to reach such a privileged position,
with all she has good and bad.
I had the chance to have something in me
that I was able to show people,
that I was able to give them and be understood.
You find that it is little?
On the other hand, I did not have family as I would have liked
and this or that, but ...
to be here is already a privilege.
Have the opportunity to speak,
even if I speak badly, is a privilege.
Ms. Callas, what is it to return to New York
and at the Metropolitan after an absence of seven long years?
Above all, a huge joy to be, say, at home.
And I must say that ...
all New Yorkers have shown very clearly
that I was here at home.
This is the first happy thought that I had.
Before coming back, I must confess that I was terrified.
I did not want,
and I was looking for excuses to not go there.
Denis, what brings you here?
Ms. Callas or just the love of opera?
Maria Callas. It's the biggest.
There is only she for whom I would do that.
And you, Alex, what are you doing in this queue?
I'm coming specially to see Callas.
It's a pity she was not here anymore and now that she agrees to come back,
to miss it would really be a crime.
This woman is without a doubt the greatest singer of the century.
Why is she so great?
Already, she has a sublime technique,
and as an actress ...
There are no words to describe it.
And with his magnetism ... She could sing less well one night,
even if it never happened,
but she could, and be just as magnetic.
This woman is just amazing.
The least sentence, the slightest time in the score
makes sense for Mrs Callas.
So in your eyes, Is it pure and simple genius?
Carrément!
Since when are you in the queue?
I arrived yesterday at 4 pm
How did you spend the time?
I just sat ... went opposite to look for food.
What will happen when she will finally appear after 7 years?
The audience will give him an ovation at least 30 minutes,
and probably standing. Even if I have to be the only one standing.
I am sure.
- Do you think you have company? - Oh, I'm sure, yes.
As soon as I appeared, there was a thunder of applause.
And you stayed there, motionless ...
Yes, I was frozen in my position without knowing what to do,
especially with such emotion.
I would have liked to contain myself,
but I was really crying while I had to sing.
And I have not stopped during the next 10 minutes.
I was too emotional to do anything properly.
It was overwhelming.
- Truly unbelievable. - This warm welcome ...
The warmth of the American public is unique in the world.
They made a point of honor to show how much they loved me.
They deserve everything I have to offer.
I could never thank people for their letters,
their gifts, their flowers, their adoration ...
I would never have imagined that.
It was really unique.
Ah, I did not think I saw you
If early extinct, O flower
You've faded
As faded love
Which lasted only one day
One day ...
Faded as faded love
Which lasted only one day
My sorrow may be
New force give you back
But to revive love
My sorrow can not
Ah, I did not believe
Just like love
Which lasted only one day
One day ...
Just like love ...
You gave up to American nationality?
Yes that's right.
- Do you resume Greek nationality? - I have already resumed my Greek nationality.
What is the reason behind all this, Ms. Callas?
Well, the real reason, I am a free woman.
Because according to Greek law,
anyone who has not married after 1946 at the church
is not married
So you understand?
Absolutely. And do you intend to marry Mr. Onassis?
Oh, these are not questions ...
For the time being, I am a free woman and very happy.
That's why I had to give up to the American nationality, alas.
You understand...
There is a prayer I do, it is my prayer to me.
- I hope you will not laugh at me. - No. What is it ?
Sometimes, I say, "God, help me.
"Give me what you want. Good or bad, I have no choice.
"But give me strength too to overcome that. "
JACKIE RADIEUSE MOVES TO STAY ONASSIS IN GREECE
For 9 years, I lived a hidden life,
a humiliating life for someone like me.
And we do not cure it in two months.
I do not have as much time to heal.
Next year, you have to that I sing at any price.
I dropped a sacred career.
And it's too easy to say: "Oh, thanks for everything!"
For 8 years, 9 years, we did our best to be happy.
"If it's not cute!" as they say vulgarly.
It's too easy to say "without rancor".
Of course, we say "You must forgive,"
"and there must be no rancor."
I do not have a rancor, but I have suffering,
and how to get rid of it?
Last cigarette and you drive me back?
The huge media coverage that surrounds your friendship with Aristotle Onassis ...
How does this limit your life?
Is there a barrier that keeps you to see you and talk to you
because you know that photographers are still there?
Of course it's not nice
because there is never rest.
He is a married man. Before, it was me who was married.
I still am, but I will divorce when the law will allow it.
And that's true that they created problems.
He had a family, children.
Now he has a wife that I have never met.
Never, then ...
Failure to meet her could create problems.
I do not know. I hope not,
because I'm not the type to create problems.
Every meeting is made more difficult by the media exposure?
I do not know.
It all depends on this man ... needs you.
I'm sure that often Onassis
needs me as a friend,
because I would tell him the truth.
Not that you men love the truth ...
- Is not it ? - Oh no ?
We love it. We are so grateful for that.
- You're lying. - We love the truth so much.
We never have enough.
I am sure Mr Onassis
could always come to see me with his problems
knowing that I will not repeat anything,
and that he would find an objective mind in me.
But I'm sure you're wondering
if I too would need of his friendship?
I suppose so.
Will you go see it with your problems?
Yes, but I also have several friends who played this role in the meantime.
Just good friends.
But yes, I would do it.
It's all about timing in life.
What we are trying to do,
it's finding the human part of Medea.
A woman.
With all the experiences a woman's.
And even more. Everything is bigger.
The sacrifices are bigger.
Everything is bigger. The landscape is bigger.
But the pain is the same than that of any woman.
And even more.
How much would you like to make other films?
I do not have so much experience.
I do not know what this experience will bring me.
I think that we should talk about it a little later,
when I finish this job.
But I have to say that this role is the role ...
In any case, as we conceived,
I do not know if it shows and if the public will perceive it,
but I do not think so that you can find role ...
as hard and complex that one.
I think we started by the end instead of the beginning, in fact.
THE TRUTH ABOUT ARI AND HIS OLD LOVE
WHAT MARIA GIVES HER MORE THAN JACKIE
ARI DOES NOT ENVISAGE TO STOP SEEING MARIA JUST BECAUSE HE IS MARRIED
THEY LOVED FOR 10 YEARS AND HE STILL HAS FEELINGS FOR HER
ARI RETURN THEIR LOVE IS NOT DEAD
HOW JACKIE LEARNED THE TRUTH ON THE ADVENTURE OF HIS MARI
You said in an interview:
"Basically, I have to be that a little american girl
"because I wanted a prince charming who comes and takes me away. "
- Very true. - You think he will come?
So far, he has not come. Or maybe if ...
You know who I'm talking about, of course. There was only one ...
The second man and probably the only one, a non-husband,
Mr. Onassis.
And you see,
we hope a lot, maybe it's my fault.
I put this man on a pedestal.
I had high hopes, and no doubt I was disappointed.
And no doubt it was my fault.
- You still hope? - Hope what?
You still hope that Prince Charming will come?
It will not be a prince charming. At our age...
At my age, I do not expect it anymore.
I'm waiting for a real man who accepts me as I am.
- Would you stop singing then? - Naturally.
- Really ? - At my age, yes.
It is said that "Maria Callas gave up the song for Aristotle Onassis. "
I could not answer that,
but it's an honest question.
I thought that from the moment I met a man I loved,
I did not need to sing anymore.
Because I think for a woman ...
The most important thing for a woman
is to have a man to himself and to make him happy.
And I have integrity, and it's an expensive price to pay ...
to resume the expression of Onassis.
We pay a lot of money integrity and honesty.
But I am ready to pay the price.
I must say that tonight I am more moved than usual
because when an audience loves you so much, I must give him more.
So it's endless ...
So I'll try a little bit more and look usual:
"O mio bambino caro", oh my darling public.
It was very, very rewarding.
They were probably applauding what they hoped to hear.
I do not know if I deserved all that,
but we never contradict the public.
They looked very happy, but also very grateful,
just as I was, too, to have been able to come back.
They can not just applaud the legend ...
If you do not give them material to ...
And after all, what is a legend? It's the audience that made me.
What is a legend?
I find myself very human.
If I were not human, I probably would have done better.
I had a moment of panic at the beginning and ...
You know when the public loves you so much, you want to give so much more.
And what I want to give more is never as much as I would like.
Not even in the good old days.
And yet, you continue to live
I am life
In my eyes is your sky
You are not alone
Your tears, I gather them
I walk by your side and support you
Mouse and hope
I am love
love