Maria Anna Sophie Kalogeropoulos, more commonly known as Maria Callas, was born in 1923 on Long Island, New York. Although she was technically American, Maria’s parents hailed from Greece, and she spent most of her career performing in Italy.
Women Who Made History: Maria Callas
Maria was an opera singer characterized by some critics as a soprano, and by others as a mezzo-soprano later in her career. She studied at the National Conservatoire in Athens beginning in 1938 and quickly made her operatic debut in 1941 as Beatrice in “Boccaccio”. While in Athens, the singer performed such operas as “Tosca”, “Tiefland”, “Cavalleria Rusticana”, “Fidelio”, and “Der Bettelstudent” at the Palas Cinema before returning to the U.S. in 1944 to reunite with her father. After trying out for the Metropolitan Opera and failing to secure a role there or any other place in New York, Callas went into true hustler mode: When she heard Tullio Serafin was looking for a dramatic for “Tristan und Isolde”, Callas told him that she already knew the score, even though she had only briefly looked through the part. She sight-read the opera’s second act for Serafin, and he was so impressed with her “knowledge of the role” that he gave her the part. Callas went to Italy, where she started to perform less classical roles and focused more on Italy’s bel canto roles. Soon after, she was coined La Divina because of her amazing vocal ability and her particular gift for the use of other languages in her music.
For the past few days I’ve been hearing about Jessica Simpson’s weight gain . . . on the “news” of all places. First, how is her weight gain news? We have troops in Iraq losing their lives, there are hungry children around the world, Antarctica is melting and the top news of the day is that Jessica Simpson gained a few pounds. Really? As if that weren’t alarming enough, the fact that Ms. Simpson’s weight gain is even talked about is a reflection on our shallow, misogynistic society. Let it be noted that these types of conversations, for the most part, are about women. Men can gain weight as they choose, no one cares or notices. Women are constanly judged by their appearance, whether they are a potential presidential candidate to a pop princess. That Jessia Simpson’s weight gain is “news” speaks more to our values as a society, and less about Jessica’s eating habits. Our daughters and sisters are learning that it’s not the content of their character that counts, but the size of their jeans. Please don’t fall into the shallow debates that continue to objectify women in our culture. Jessica, you’re beautiful at any size, you’re better off not watching the “news” . . . I’m just sayin’.
Just when you think that every possible celebrity spin-off clothing line has been established you hear about 13 more. Jessica Simpson is adding lingerie to her product offering, for Spring 2009, that currently consists of footwear, handbags, sunglasses, swimwear and outerwear. Her lingerie collection will include bras, undies, sleepwear, shapewear and daywear. In addition to lingerie she’s launching a fragrance in August and a belt collection in the fall. Busy lady!
Nicole Richie is also hopping on the celebrity-product-line-wagon with the launch of a new collection that she named after her daughter called House of Harlow. The line will include accessories and jewelry and then move on to children’s apparel. I actually like Nicole Richie’s style so I’m curious to see what she comes up with. Hopefully, it will be true to her own aesthetic. I also think it’s cool that she’s going to design children’s clothing – it’s an area that’s growing in popularity – shouldn’t kids have celebrity labels too?
What’s your take on all this? Have you had enough of celebrity lines??
