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

• Movie Memorabilia Memorabilia -> Movie Memorabilia -> Props-> Posters Movies touch our hearts, inspire our souls and transport us on an incredible journey. It’s no wonder that movie memorabilia has become so incredibly popular throughout the years. You’ll find numerous different types of movie memorabilia that range from simple posters, to theater......
• Identifying Authentic Memorabilia One of the most important aspects of collecting any type of memorabilia is the ability to determine what memorabilia is authentic memorabilia and what is not. This is especially vitally important when it comes to autographed memorabilia in a variety of different arenas such as sports star memorabilia and movie......
• Movie Scripts Memorabilia -> Autographs: Original -> Movies-> Scripts If you love movies, one of the best collectible items you can find is an original autographed movie script. These are very rare in many cases, but when you do find one for your favorite movie there is always cause for celebration. This......
• Collecting Film Memorabilia There are many actors, actresses, movie scenes and other film moments that are memorable and popular years after they initially came into the limelight. As a result, many people collect film memorabilia as a way to relive their favorite movie moments, or to commemorate their favorite movie heroes. Although the......
• Music Memorabilia Memorabilia -> Music Memorabilia -> Rock, Pop 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......

• How to Buy Sports Memorabilia Learning how to buy sports memorabilia and collect sports memorabilia is something that can be both profitable and enjoyable at the same time. Here are some tips, some definitions and some examples that are going to help you to better understand the entire process for learning how to buy sports......
• Spotting Real Autographed Sports Memorabilia Many people get excited about autographed sports memorabilia when they find it for a good price, and as a result, many people purchase so called authentic autographed sports memorabilia without investigating the authenticity of said memorabilia. The question that all buyers should be asking when shopping for autographed sports memorabilia......
• Collecting Signed Sports Memorabilia If you are interested in sports, then there is a growing business trend that you should be aware of, which relates to buying, collecting and selling signed sports memorabilia. This is a sound investment that would be well worth considering if you are into sports, but the first consideration that......
• Protect Your Autographed Baseball Memorabilia Most people who are sports enthusiasts, and that collect autographed baseball memorabilia are thrilled when they find the perfect item and it happens to also be autographed by one of their favorite sports stars. This happens to be especially true when the piece of autographed baseball memorabilia is a well......
• Sports Memorabilia Collecting 101 Before you jump into the world of sports memorabilia collecting, there is some basic information that you should be well aware of. First and foremost, you should have an understanding of certain terms that are common when it comes to sports memorabilia collecting. For example: Photos, jerseys, cards and related......

• Full Sun Seedlings Tropicals Plants, Seeds & Bulbs Gardening & Plants Yard, Garden & Outdoor Living
• Full Bed-in-a-Bag Bedding Home Store
• Early (1792-1837) Half Dimes Coins: US Coins & Paper Money
• Two Stage Snow Blowers Outdoor Power Equipment Yard, Garden & Outdoor Living
• Pre-1940 Press Kits Movie Memorabilia Entertainment Memorabilia

Memorabilia -> Music Memorabilia -> Rock, Pop

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.

Photo Credits: David Paul Ohmer

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

• Beatles Memorabilia Memorabilia -> Music Memorabilia -> Rock, Pop-> The Beatles Out of all of the rock groups that rose to prominence in the 1960’s, none took the world by storm quite like The Beatles and since then, Beatles memorabilia has been a hot commodity. There are fans that have built up......
• Andy Warhol Paintings Memorabilia -> Entertainment Memorabilia Andy Warhol paintings today are housed in museums, owned by private collectors and released as prints for public consumption. He was born Andrew Warhola in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1928. Though he died in 1987 from complications after gall bladder surgery, his name is still well known......
• The Eagles Shirt Memorabilia -> Music Memorabilia -> Eagles Band and concert shirts are one of the most popular forms of music-related collectibles, so the Eagles shirt is a highly collectible way to celebrate a band with an almost 40-year history. The Eagles formed in 1971, and have influenced rock music and the......
• Signed Sports Memorabilia People who collect signed sports memorabilia are constantly working to come up with more creative and innovative ways that will allow them to showcase their sports memorabilia collections. The fame associated with collecting sports memorabilia is growing at a high speed on a continuous basis. For example, some collectors prefer......
• Collecting Television Memorabilia Ever since the television became a common item in every household across America, television shows have established themselves as a regular part of our everyday lives. We all have personal favorites when it comes to television shows, and we all try to make an effort to follow those favorite shows......

• Book Review: Celtic, Blues and Beyond (Acoustic Master Class Series) by Al Petteway This book and CD combination is a part of the Acoustic Masterclass series, teaching Celtic music, blues music and beyond. Al Petteway offers advanced guitar arrangements in this tome. As an award-winning composer and guitarist, Al Petteway has developed a unique style for guitar solos that mixes up numerous different......
• Harley Davidson Collectibles Collectibles -> Transportation -> Motorcycles-> Harley Davidson The Harley Davidson motorcycle has become an integral part of Americana and the pop culture of this country. Once the favorite bike of outlaws and renegades, Harley Davidson collectibles have gone mainstream and they are more popular than ever. There are literally hundreds......
• Collecting Rare Collectibles 101 There are all kinds of different collectibles out there, including rare collectibles and more common collectibles for example. If you are interested in collecting rare collectibles, then knowing how to identify them, find them, price them, display them and sell them are all very important considerations to make. Here is......
• Types of Sports Memorabilia Items to Buy There are a number of different forms that sports memorabilia items can take, including both modern memorabilia and vintage memorabilia. Some of the sports memorabilia items that you can purchase and add to your collection include: - Autographed sports memorabilia items, including balls, gloves, bats, cards and anything else that......
• The Legacy of Jaco Pastorius - Joe Sinaguglia For over twenty years now, the planet has been without the presence of Jaco Pastorius, the revolutionary electric bass player of the 70s. He was a member of the group Weather Report and later led his own bands. Sadly, the lifestyle caught up to him in 1987. Despite his death,......

• Forms Taxidermy Fishing
• Lions Fraternal Groups Historical Memorabilia Collectibles
• Apparel Beatles, The B Rock, Pop Music Memorabilia Entertainment Memorabilia
• Black Americana Sheet Music Sheet Music & Song Books
• Beach Boys B Rock, Pop Music Memorabilia Entertainment Memorabilia