Callas but not callous

Callas in 1958   (Public Domain)  

Beneath that seemingly callous exterior of diva Maria Callas lay an intensely religious fervor.

According to Renzo Allegri of the Messenger of Saint Anthony, Callas had "an almost fanatical attitude to religion."  She believed that all of life's blessings, including everyday ones such as good weather, were personally bestowed upon her by a very intimate God.  This belief was reflected within her letters, which contained numerous references to what the Lord had done for her.

Allegri writes that Callas would pray "very frequently."  Before

performing, she would visit a church and "remain genuflected for long periods – like a lifeless statue."  At Milan's Duomo, she would kneel in prayer before the Madonna's statue for more than half an hour at a time.

Although she was married to a Roman Catholic, Callas remained

steadfastly Greek Orthodox.  In a letter to husband Giovanni Battista Meneghini, Callas wrote:  You see, I feel more at home in my Church than in yours…  This may be because I was born into this Church, or perhaps because I perceive the Greek Orthodox faith and warmer and merrier.     

Resources

http://www.messengersaintanthony.com/messaggero/pagina_articolo.asp?IDX=390IDRX=110

Copyright December 2, 2013 by Linda Van Slyke   All Rights Reserved