Maria Callas may be the best known female opera singer of our time. While Pavarotti is an internationally recognized name, Callas was the soprano whom most people had heard of. She was an American-born singer of Greek descent who came to be called La Divina by the opera-going community.

She was born in New York in 1923 but the family soon moved to Greece, where she received her musical education. Then she moved to Italy and established herself as a singer of note. Early in her career she was a full-figured woman, as many successful operatic singers are, but mid-career she shed 80 pounds and was often hailed as one of the most beautiful women to ever grace opera’s stage. Maria Callas also had extreme myopia, requiring thick glasses which of course couldn’t be worn on the opera stage, so she was essentially blind throughout many of her early performances.

Maria Callas often had to endure gossip in the press that sometimes seemed to overshadow the achievements of her career, including tales of her rivalry with singer Renata Tebaldi and her affair with Aristotle Onassis. When her voice began to decline, the press was not kind to her, but many fans and critics still hail her as the original diva, and the voice that defined opera.

Her official debut on the professional stage was in 1942, and very quickly critics began to take note of her voice. Even those who critically panned her could not deny that if nothing else, her voice was instantly recognizable. She was a mezzo-soprano with a range of three full octaves. Her tendency to start with the lower registers and sing them richly was often blamed for the later decline of her voice, with her having difficulty hitting the highest notes and maintaining them. Maria Callas was only 53 when she died in 1977 of a heart attack.

For those interested in Maria Callas collectibles, her recordings, particularly those on large record albums, are good items to collect, though if you’re looking for items of hers purely for listening enjoyment the remastered CDs of her performances will be the items you’ll want to purchase.

You can find books about Maria Callas, as well as recordings and other items in most online bookstores and in the larger chain bookstores. Other popular items like ticket stubs from her performances and even signed photographs can be found by looking in places like shops that deal in autographs, and online auctions like those at eBay.com

The biggest drawback to looking for Maria Callas items, particularly signed ones, at places like eBay is that you can’t be sure if the autograph is genuine. Be sure to investigate by finding known examples of her autograph online in several places, then examine the autograph on the item you’re wanting to purchase carefully to see if it’s close enough to have been written by her, without looking too perfectly exact. If it’s exact, it’s just as likely to be a fake as if it looks wildly different.

Originally posted 2008-12-10 14:00:33. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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Music memorabilia has always been popular, and although we associate it primarily with today’s rock and pop musicians, the practice of collecting items for musicians and groups dates back many hundred years. In fact, in Japan, before mass printing was used on a wide scale, it was common to have artists actually create posters of popular figures. Now, it’s a lot easier to collect and afford music memorabilia and it is more popular than ever. Let’s take a look at some of the best kinds of collectibles that are available right now.

Rock, Pop

By far, this is the most popular form of music memorabilia. You can find items from your favorite artists and bands very easily and there are many different types of items that you can collect. The most popular forms are t-shirts, posters, signed photographs as well as special collectibles that can usually only be found at concerts. While many of these items are more novelty items than actual collectibles, if they do carry an original autograph, they will be worth more money. The star that signs it will also determine just how much a piece of memorabilia may be worth.

Country

It may not be as universally loved as rock or pop, but country music is quickly growing in popularity. As a result the music memorabilia for country artists is also becoming more valuable. Once again, the most popular forms are tshirts and posters, but you can also find a few unique items on sale every once in awhile. Signed cowboy hats are very popular, and many stars are putting out their own lines of clothing, boots and hats, as well as special collector’s editions pick-up trucks.

Opera

When you think of the opera, one of the last things that springs to mind is memorabilia, but you may be surprised to learn that there is a very dedicated, albeit small, group of people that do collect opera memorabilia. This market trends towards signed programs or pictures. Many of these items are only available at high-end auctions.

Musicals

In the past fifty years, Broadway musicals have become a very important part of American culture, and you can find many different types of music memorabilia for this genre. Since props are so integral to performances, at the end of a run, many will be signed by the cast and auctioned off. Lobby cards, posters, programs and special autographed pictures of the stars are also very popular.

Jazz

Even though the jazz movement is small, the fans are die-hard and there are many great unique forms of music memorabilia connected with this movement. For example, B.B. King released a collectible, signed guitar that sold very well. Most of these items are directly related to the music and posters are generally not as common, unless they are signed.

If you’re trying to find music memorabilia, the best places to look are at music stores, second hand shops and of course, online auctions. Flea markets and garage sales are another great place to find unique items that may even be rare.

Originally posted 2008-10-05 05:00:51. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

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