Maria Callas, was a Greek-American soprano, and one of the most renowned and influential opera singers of the 20th century.

Many critics praised her Bel canto technique, wide-ranging voice and dramatic interpretations.

Her repertoire ranged from classical opera seria to the Bel canto operas of Donizetti, Bellini and Rossini and further, to the works of Verdi and Puccini; and, in her early career, to the music dramas of Wagner.

Her musical and dramatic talents led to her being hailed as La Divina.

Nearly fourty years after her death, Maria Callas is still the definition of the diva as artist – and still one of classical music’s best-selling vocalists.

Love is a rebellious bird
That none can tame,
And it is well in vain that one calls it
If it suits him to refuse
Nothing to be done, threat or prayer.
The one talks well, the other is silent;
And it’s the other that I prefer
He says nothing but he pleases me.

Love is a gypsy’s child,
It has never, never known the law;
If you do not love me, I love you;
If I love you, take guard yourself (Take guard yourself!)
If you do not love me,
If you do not love me, I love you (Take guard yourself!)
But if I love you, if I love you
Take guard yourself!

The bird you hoped to catch
Beat its wings and flew away …
Love is far, you can wait for it
You no longer await it, there it is
All around you, swift, swift,
It comes, goes, then it returns …
You think to hold it fast, it flees you
You think to flee it, it holds you

If you love me not,
if you love me not, then I love you
but if I love you, if I love you
Take guard yourself