Diagnosing Callas - What REALLY happened to the voice?
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- Опубліковано 23 лип 2024
- Everyone knows the story of how the great opera star Maria Callas lost her voice at the peak of her career, and everyone has their own theory of how that happened. Today, the spectre of La Divina herself has come to point out that there’s something they’ve all missed…
Learn more about Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and donate here: www.ehlers-danlos.org
Or if you’re in America: www.ehlers-danlos.com
Download a copy of the rare "Puritani" record here (one of only 3 records made by Callas on shellac 78rpm): www.ziazan.co.uk
All proceeds to Ehlers-Danlos Support UK
Footnotes
With thanks to Lyndsy Spence for her 2021 biography, “Cast a Diva”.
Callas speaking of her myopia: • Maria Callas In Conver...
Muscular Dystrophy Telethon with Jerry Lewis: • Maria Callas and Jerry...
Opinions on her vocal decline: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maria_C...
Vocal improvement in 1970s: • Maria Callas's Vocal I...
60 Minutes interview with Mike Wallace, Paris, February 3, 1974: • Maria Callas: 60 Minut...
Maria by Callas (2017): • Maria By Callas | Offi...
Speaking to Philippe Caloni, Radio France Musique, April 1977
“Why Callas lost that voice“, The Sydney Morning Herald, October 15, 2002
“Opera Legend Maria Callas ‘Didn't Die Of A Broken Heart’ “, La Stampa, December 21, 2010
“Callas & Tomatis”, Voicetalk, 31 December, 2012
“Maria Meneghini Callas”, Michael Scott, 1991
“My Wife Maria Callas”, Giovanni Battista Meneghini, 1981
“A Life Among Legends” Jacques Leiser, 2016
“The Tongs and the Bones: The Memoirs of Lord Harewood”
www.ehlers-danlos.com/brochures/
Unofficial list of comorbidities in EDS as observed in the online community: ohtwist.com/about-eds/comorbi...
Ehlers Danlos Syndrome and the Cusack Protocol (Facebook group)
www.lipoedema.co.uk/about-lip...
www.nhs.uk/conditions/mitral-...
www.theguardian.com/society/2...
Maria Callas' sister said that Callas didnt lose her voice, she simply lost her health. This statement was on camera in a documentary. It makes so much sense.
Eric Wortman: Roberta Peters made her debut with the Metropolitan Opera Company in 1950 when she was just 19 or 20 years old and had a very long career. She never really retired but in later years, she recorded music by Rodgers and Hammerstein and appeared on the Tonight Show and the Ed Sullivan show. In an interview that I saw, she was asked to what she attributed her ability to keep singing for so many years and the first thing she said was, "Well, I always had very good health."
After Beverly Sills became manager of the New York City Opera, she remarked that when she was singing, she only had to worry about one voice, but as manager, she now worried about 40 voices.
It's thought she suffered from an undiagnosed neurological condition. Acoustic analysis has shown that her voice lost a lot of pressure ( power ) later. I agree she just wasn't well
@@kathleenmckenzie6261 That makes sense. Hariprasad Chaurasia was pro wrestler before becoming flute master. His training gave him stamina. And what is unusual he started learning at the age of 20 or 30 after hearing one flute master play. Usually children learn to sing, play or dance as early as possible, few years old. What was initially his disadvantage helped to prolong his career.
@@kathleenmckenzie6261p
Well, she did suffer from vocal deterioration which can be exacerbated by stress, physical health, overuse, lifestyle. Callas, much like popular music's Mariah Carey, suffered from deterioration not from technique but due to stress/mental health symptoms, lack of sleep, overuse, lifestyle (i.e. alcohol), etc. Both were still virtuosos.
A voice teacher told me repeatedly that any illness, stress or fatigue negatively impacts the voice. With that catalogue of syndromes and surgeries, it's no wonder Callas's voice was unreliable. It's amazing she accomplished as much as she did. And doctors are still telling patients that it's all in our heads.
True stuff. And of course, illness, stress and fatigue happen naturally in the course of every life. Sooner or later it's just inevitable, and that gets forgotten way too often in professions where people rely on their bodies working the same way indefinitely. Having a voice or muscles or joints that'll perform for you...that's a temporary exception, and it's miraculous to ever have it at all.
If your doctor tells you that "it's all in your head," I urge you to find another doctor.
It's easy to understand - especially in singers. The body IS the instrument.
This is very sweet and shows a high level of empathy to explain her decline. Well done.
I had no idea about the Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. It sounds extremely debilitating in every aspect of daily life and wellbeing, and yet Callas was able to pursue music to the highest point even so. I only have compassion toward you and others suffering from these complex symptoms which seem to continuously remind you of its presence each and every day. Thank you for being so open and sharing this information. I will check out the links you have attached to be better informed about this. 🙏
Thank you! Yes, she was truly exceptional.
A friend of mine has it and it is awful. She's in pain constantly.
@@PhantomsoftheOpera thank you so much I'm sure this is what I have! Delicate skin, scaring, hernia, intestinal problems culminating in having 9" of colon removed, elbows hyperextention, loose stretchy skin, bruises easily....wow. I read there are 13 types of EDS. The vascular type shortens your life to about age 52.
One of my longtime friends has Anlers Danroe Syndrome, and like most people I'd never heard of it before. We did an early morning beach walk every day for over twenty years until the Syndrome made it too painful for her. She's now in a wheelchair and her mind started losing its grasp on reality when she couldn't be active and involved in a full life like before.
Oh !!! Oh my goodness, I had no idea Maria Callas possibly had EDS! I admit I'm crying a little as I have EDS too, and it has been making it very hard to record for the past couple of years. I prefer to sing operatically and classically, but I just don't have the microphone or recording equipment to capture what I truly want to sound like, since it is rather loud and my current microphone can't handle the volume. I'm stuck with singing in a different style, or putting a huge cap on any classical singing I do.
My EDS is not nearly as bad as some (yet; it is a degenerative disorder afterall), but it is still a debilitating issue: as of today, I struggle with a hiatal hernia, digestive issues + Gastroparesis that may be a product of the hernia and nerve issues, hypermobility, joint and muscular pain, vitamin deficiencies, anxiety+depression, and possibly a myriad of other diagnoses I'm unaware of. My mother is further along with similar issues and has had to buy a wheelchair to function outside of the house, but she's still young in her 40s.
I don't see myself being a professional singer, let alone one of the calibre of Maria Callas, but it gives me hope that I don't have to completely give up on singing just because of my genetic disorder.
You have absolutely no idea how much this video means to me. I started classical voice training in 1995 at age 18. I began getting very sick a couple of years later, and stopped everything. Stopped my music degree. I am 45 now, and just recently picked everything up again.
MARIAS symptoms are exactly like mine. ALL OF IT! dysautonomia thyroid issues fatigue .....everything. I so so want to sing opera, and won't let it stop me anymore.
Wow I am going to pay attention to that part as well when I watch it. There is something going on with my kids and I we havent been able to pin down. One has thyroid issues, they struggle with fatigue and lots of mysterious aches and pains. With me its so one thing after another, I am so grateful to be up and around. My allergies prevent me from getting my high range, so frustrating. I take infinite supplements lol. Licorice tea can heal one's voice but you have to watch with blood pressure meds.
@@KKIcons check out mold illness too since you are all having symptoms
I'm sorry to hear that. And i think about another great lady: Florence Jenkins. She was z prodigy pianist. Forced into marriage at the age of 18 she contracted from her husband 'bad blood'. This disease gives in advanced age feeling of grandiosity. That's why she was oblivious to real impact her singing made.
I stopped singing and could barely hit E5 when I started up again. Now I can sing Eb6, after 3 years, and have expectations of F eventually.
I was listening to you tell Maria the list of symptoms and it gradually dawned on me that you were describing all of mine. I knew you were leading to EDS long before you said the words, as I too, suffer from the condition. One often hears that it is an average of ten years before diagnosis but for me it was almost 25 years from the onset of my first symptom, insomnia. It makes my blood boil that a woman as talented and accomplished as Callas was fobbed off by doctors and that the hypochondriac label was bandied about. I’m so sorry that you also suffer from this pernicious condition. I also used to sing (as an amateur) but my POTS caused me too many breathing issues to be able to continue. I hope you are not similarly affected. I’m enjoying your channel a lot. Thanks for all your creativity and research!
Kate Griffiths: It took at least ten years for my allergy symptoms to be diagnosed and then it wasn't even a doctor. My voice teacher kept saying, "It's allergies; go to this specialist. Many professional singers go to him." After so many doctors telling me there was nothing wrong with me, I almost fell off my chair when the doctor said, "You have allergies and it's causing all your migraines." Eighteen months after starting his treatment, my bi-weekly migraines disappeared, never to return. Then it took another fifteen years to diagnose my sleep apnea that turned me into a zombie.
Gilda Radner had the symptoms of ovarian cancer for a couple of years and kept telling doctors that something was wrong, she was extremely fatigued and in pain much of the time. By the time a doctor decided to do a more thorough series of tests, it was too late. She had a grapefruit-sized tumor removed during a hysterectomy and subsequently died of ovarian cancer.
The words 'hysterectomy' and 'hysteria' come from the Greek word, 'hystera',' meaning uterus. The earliest writings describing hysteria as a medical condition of women were found in Egyptian medical records in 1900 B.C. The prevailing medical opinion for centuries was that most, if not all, of women's maladies were merely hysterical manifestations. In other words, the medical approach to women's issues was the equivalent of, "Oh, you poor dear, take an aspirin, have some tea and go lie down. Calm your nerves."
Hi! I'm also an opera singer with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, just as you have, and you theorize Callas may have! Despite the fact that I've been yelling from the rooftops about opera and EDS for years, and have been actively trying to generate more discussions in operatic spaces about chronic illness and the arts through my own videos and whatnot, I have never once heard the theory that she may have had EDS... despite those very clearly hyperextended elbows! This video is so fascinating, respectful, and (to chronically, invisibly ill folks like me who struggled for years to pursue opera against an unhealthy body) extremely validating.
...I'm not crying in my living room because Callas may have been like me. Nope.
(Also, I spy that zebra-print EDS awareness blouse you're wearing! It's lovely!)
I'm watching this and am almost in shock. This video came to me from the almighty algorithm, due to my love of music and opera. But as I watched, I realized that I have every health issue you listed that Maria Callas struggled with, and several more on the list. I am so grateful for possibly being enlightened, finally, about a condition I've never heard of, but that could explain all of my many health issues over the years. I can't thank you enough for inspiring me to dig deeper into EDS, and seeking help. God bless you, and I hope you can find healing as well.
Good luck Ruth. I’ve got EDS and it took me almost 25 years to get a diagnosis. Diagnosis does lead to improvement, as you will be able to access therapies that won’t make you worse, and finally you will be taken seriously.
Yeah things like this fibromyalgia chronic fatigue syndrome, you can be struggling for years without a diagnosis. I can really relate but I hope that you are on your way to finding some help soon!
So it's 3 months later, and I have received a positive diagnosis from a specialist. I'm 48 years old, and I finally have answers. And proper therapy that actually helps. And it all started with this video. I'm just so grateful. ❤️
*THE AMOUNT OF WORK IN THIS VIDEO! THE ACTING! THE ACCENT! BRAVA!*
At first I thought it was in poor taste to impersonate someone on such a serious topic, literally putting words in someone’s mouth and while it is somewhat uncomfortable to watch your approach was more dignified than expected and your mimicking of her mannerisms, expressions and intonation is surprisingly accurate and quite touching.
Accurate.
Definitely. Plus, the "diagnosis" makes a LOT of sense! (I never DID believe that ridiculous weight loss theory!)
It's like a reenactment. I didn't think anything of it.
She does these hypothetical conversation with other historical figures on her channel as well. It’s her thing.
It certainly answers a host of questions about her health.
I can't even begin to thank you enough for this phenomenal video! Phenomenal on SO many different levels!
• First, because I had never previously even heard of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrom, so this was VERY educational!
• Secondly because everything you said about it, and about Callas' life and career, now for the first time really fits and makes sense, about her vocal "decline"!
• Thirdly, you really did an excellent job of describing the truly tragic circumstances that plagued her throughout her life, and yet in spite of it all, because of her incredible strengths she was still able to rise above that and become probably the most important influence on opera in the 20th century.
• And finally, the remarkable job you did personally in portraying La Divina!! Besides the fact that you somewhat look a little like her, I was amazed at how you even had so many of her facial expressions, mannerisms, and even vocal inflections! If I believed in this kind of thing, I would say that you very successfully "channeled" the spirit of Maria Callas, and brought her to life for us! I have been a HUGE Callas fan for over 50 years, and I can honestly say that this was the BEST presentation of her life I've ever come across! It sincerely brought me to tears! THANK YOU!!!
Thank you so much! I think you must be right about the "channeling". I can't explain it any other way...
Sorry but channeling is demonic. This presentation is pure talent, excellent presentation, thorough research, and perfect make up:)
@@RG-iw7py I actually agree with you. That's why I put the word "channeling " in quotation marks. Yes, it is strictly that she's very talented.
I am a huge Callas fan and was worried at first when I saw this video. I have to say it was very very interesting, and you got her so well, at moments I felt I was watching her. Thank You!
Thanks so much, that means a lot to me.
Same with me:) I hesitated to watch it but then ... was star struck lol
This video saved my life. After realizing I had a lot of the symptoms mentioned, I looked into the official diagnostic criteria and saw that I met enough of them to go see a physician. Thank you ! As a classical singer myself, I am wondering if you’d be willing to share advice on pursuing singing while having this illness ?
God bless you! Thank you for sharing this! Prayers are with you.🙏
The first time I see a Callas impersonation ON POINT! oh my god! I got so carried by it that for the duration of the video It was Callas there for me! Totally immersed! Can only thank you for providing us this content of quality!
Spellbound!
And I am very possessive of ‘my’ Callas. As we all are.
You utterly won me over.
That wasn’t acting.
You embodied her.
Heartfelt thanks.
Living on the knife edge of the extremes of emotion those major roles demand- is not a rest cure either. That’s why she was so real. She sang her pain.
PS The brain doesn’t know the difference between an imagined emotion
and a real one.
@@janel342 So very well said!!! And so very true! Ziazan somehow truly captured the spirit of Callas in this presentation, and brought her to us!!
Please don’t stop this videos. Your channel is a fresh breeze of what opera is supposed to be 💙
Absolutely brilliant - well done! That ending had me crying, not gonna lie. Looking forward to future videos.
I didn't expect to cry myself!
@@PhantomsoftheOpera Every time I watch this, I end up in tears! I can't even explain it, but somehow it brings about a deep emotional connection I've always had with Maria, since even before her death! Even though I never met her, or ever even saw her in person. But this video somehow has really sparked that connection in a very special way, and I'm grateful for this work you have done, Ziazan! Thank you for sharing with us! You are very special, and very much in my prayers! 🙏
Its the first time I see a true characterization of Callas. This is the best of all the actresses that has interpreted her. Congratulations!!!
ABSOLUTELY TRUE!
First, I must congratulate your acting ability. Your ability to capture the accent and mannerisms of a woman of that time was impeccable. I love that you've given a voice to a woman who was likely never listened to by doctors. Lastly, Im amazed that I've learned a great deal about a not well known disease on a Opera channel. Bravo!
I seethe with rage when I think about what she was put through over the Rome cancellation and later the Toscas at Covent Garden. She told them in advance that she was ill! So unfair!
Thank you for the video. I love Maria!
Sorry you are also suffering from this issue.
Totally brilliant in every way ! Well researched and very cleverly presented. Such a video can only assist in the furtherance of understanding of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. Thank you so much for new thoughts and insights into the health, physical difficulties and challenges of one of the greatest sopranos of all time.
Thank you. I hope it can make a difference.
vERY WELL SAID.
Wow, what an amazing presentation! As a singer myself, I just assumed that Maria Callas lost her voice from a combination of taking on roles too heavy for her, forcing the top notes instead of floating them (one can reference Natalie Dessay) and her weight loss which caused the bottom to drop out as it were, so more pressure was placed on the cords themselves.
Only one or two symptoms of the above named Syndrome would be enough to make one's life miserable. Having to be high functioning in the public arena with all the snide criticism that comes with it must have been a daily torture. Meneghini probably would have taken better care of his wife had she stayed but Onassis didn't give a damn which added emotional turmoil to the mix.
I am familiar with conditions that are regarded as effuse or even non-existent due to the lack of study and putting two and two together. I had colitis for many years, also regarded as figments of one's imagination. My husband was finally diagnosed with FTD, or Frontal Lobe Dementia after a brain scan in December, 2019. For decades no one could figure out his increasingly erratic behavior. It seems like in medicine and psychology, something doesn't exist until someone finally gives it a name.
This was such a moving interview. You have such talent to bring to life these incredible people. I was diagnosed over 25 years ago with Systemic Connective Tissue Disease in the mid 90s before I had access to the internet and have spent most my life self-diagnosing things to help. At times I was completely bedridden. At 59 I continue to research and find things to help.
This is excellent and the "ghost" of Maria Callas really does her justice in terms of demeanour, intellect etc.. I have read many books about Maria but in my opinion by far the most insightful is the book by her husband Giovanni Battista Meneghini who lived side by side, for 12-13 years with her during her formative years, in his book he speaks of her various health conditions also recounted by her in her numerous letters to him when they were apart during various tours etc.. much of what is discussed above is mentioned by her in several of her letters to her husband.“My Wife Maria Callas”, Giovanni Battista Meneghini, 1981
THIS MAN WAS A PURE GANGSTER, AND WHEN CALLAS UNDERSTOOD THAT, SHE TOOK THE RIGHT DECISIONS !
@@Fanfanbalibar yes yes of course she did, so she found Onassis who physically verbally and mentally abused her and destroyed her life. Watch out your words please! Meneghini might have been many things but he adored Callas at least; and he was the person responsible for her artistic birth and transformation! She had also said it.
Meneguhini gangster ! Se fosse acha que o verdadeiro gangster o Onassis teria saído vivo da ofensa feita contra ele, Onassis era um amoral destruiu a carreira de Callas não o bastante destruiu ela, a primeira esposa do Onassis morreu de over dose, o filho tem todos os ingredientes de vingança de mafioso, a filha também morreu de overdose , sem falar que ele dopava Callas sem ela saber , e o Meneghini é que era o mafioso, Onassis mafia Turca.
Excellent in ever way, if just one point was not discussed: Personality
I saw Callas during her ‘comeback’ at TRFH and yes the voice was not what it was but the sheer personality and carisma filled the entire Hall so much so that the voice seemed as great as it always was!
Fabulously well done interpreters of La Divina! Complimenti davvero!
I was intrigued by the title of the video but didn't think I'd watch to the end as I assumed it would lead nowhere. But I ended up watching this entire video because I could tell by the amount of effort and detail that you put into your impersonation of MC that you have the same deep affection for her that I do. You were brilliant! So respectful and nuanced. And thank you for presenting a very convincing theory about what might have happened. Your personal experience and research present a very strong case. I was saddened to learn about how many health problems she had and I was even more grateful to her for perseverance. She left us so much in her recordings. When I hear people say that she had "bad technique" I usually just laugh to myself and think "Yeah, what do you know?" Her incredible technique was what allowed her to sing and record so many different roles. Her career was not remarkably short when you consider that she made her professional debut at age 18. I hope this video will open some closed minds. Thank you for your passion about singing and for sharing your discoveries with the world!
You listed everything I have... at first i thought it was a funny coincidence, but then it just kept adding on, at minute 9 I was staring at the screen with my mouth agape and trying not to cry . I just spent the last 2 hours looking into Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, and highlighting documents as I went. I need you to know I am beyond grateful that you made this, I've already made a doctors appointment, thank you. You may have saved my life.
Edit: I finished the video, thank you for making this. I did end up crying, but I assure they are tears of relief and ones of hope. Bravo!
Brava, in all the sense of the word! You brought tears to my eyes, your transformation in Callas was mesmerising and I thank you for sharing this about you and your twin sister from the past. You are a fighter too, and I also feel identified of how much we women, sometimes especially, have to face to be dissed on what we really feel on our bodies. My cousin had to fight years until she was diagnosed endometriosis and the doctors could not understand how pain killers and anesthesia wouldn't work on me as much as they should, until they found out I have ligaments' hiperlaxitude and I had to show them a medical report connecting both conditions. No need to tell you to stay strong. You transmit that rare calm that comes from contemplating incandescense and being part in it.
This was the most wonderful video about La Divina! Your work was one of the most touching homage and humanazing piece of art about the most impressive genious singer ever!!! Thank you so much for the video!
As someone who has EDS and Lipedema, thank you for spreading awareness about this! 💖
Wow! Such amazing presentation and so touching,as I have EDS myself,only got diagnosis at 49, after many years been labelled as depressed hypochlorhydriac.
Thank you!
This made me surprisingly emotional. And it made me appreciate my favorite opera singer even more!
That’s actually a really good impersonation of Callas’ speaking.
This as was an absolute pleasure to watch! Everything down to her accent and mannerisms is impeccable, amazing.
Thank you so much! I hope I did her justice.
I feel sorry for her having to live through all of that! A singer's body is their own instrument - so when they are sick their voice is affected. The quality of the voice box goes down when ligament and cartilage growth/ repair is affected. Sorry my dear to hear you also have this problem!
Fantastic! Thank you! The fact that this topic continues to be of interest only shows the deep and lasting fascination with Callas, the most electrifying performer the world has ever known.
My wife has EDS, decades until she was diagnosed, as you say, common denial about she had anything, and she normally knows more than the doctors who treat her. While you were numbering the different conditions I was: "that's a bit like EDS". Then, you revealed. And when you showed so much knowledge about it, I suspected you have it too. I hope yours is an "easy" one. I sent this video to her, thanks for it. All your stuff is interesting, but this one was specially touching for me. Love your channel, I'm learning a lot. Kiss from Spain.
Indeed! I have POTS without EDS and I sent this to all my EDS buddies.
I was diagnosed this year. It’s made a lot of sense of my life. This year I suppose I hit bottom enough to get diagnosis.
I can now recall times when I was younger bursting out of the shower feeling sick. In my 20s I even crawled up some flights of stairs. I didn’t need a doctor to point out I’m crazy … the work in media has already been done and I already convinced myself that I was being “dramatic.”
I suspect this “flair” may have been after having Covid. I never tested positive but I did have the-cold-of-my-life. I wonder if it was omicron and if evaded the pcr.
@@LifeOutsideTheBubblewhat is EDS???
I broke my neck and jaw in the Army, and I’ve struggled for 20 years to sing properly. It’s so scary to be onstage and to not know when your jaw is just gonna lock up or if you’ll get a charlie horse in your neck or tongue. I’ve cried so many nights in pain never being able to sleep. Poor Maria. She’s so talented and sang so well despite her injuries.
I just discovered your channel today. And there’s more videos to go in the inspiration bin. Once again, I have no excuse. If Callas and other opera singers with health issues could do it, who’s to say that we can’t.
You can do it!
This is my review of the, ‘Cast a diva’ book you mentioned:
If you really want to know about Callas read, ‘ The Unknown Callas: The Greek Years’, Hardcover - Illustrated, April 15, 2001
by Nicholas Petsalis-Diomidis (Author) it is the missing link in the oeuvre of Callas biographies.
This book is similar but puts to much importance in all the day to day mundane trivialities said and done .If any of us were subjected to such scrutiny we would all look just as bad just as mundane but minus the genius drive and inspiration.
Most Callas Biographies end in the dumps. The last 12 years of her life a downward spiral. People forget most opera singers live well past there glory years. It comes with the territory. It can’t be easy for any especially a myth . She fell victim to ever increasing ill health and opportunists whom in her best years she was able to spot right away.
This book left a sour taste in my mouth. Obviously well researched the copious quotes always lack quotation marks. The music is sacrificed for gossip and seems incidental to her life. There is something macabre and ungrateful about this whole business. Nadia Stankoff , is hardly mentioned, yet her book on her friendship with Callas during the later years remains for me the most honest and sympathetic.
The 2 stars in Callas’ later life, the 2 people who remained totally loyal to her were her servants Feruccio and Bruna. Their respect and silence speaks volumes . They are basically never mentioned .
Callas was arguably the 1st modern media superstar. That fact collided with an artistic phenomena and physical transformation of mythical proportions ; hard to grasp and never equaled.
Anyone familiar with the artist is left flummoxed by this chronicle. It’s tawdry details fascinate and repelled . All of it makes one wonder how did this conduit of divine energies manage to survive as long as she did. This page 6 treatment of one of the greatest artists of the 20th century is a sad reflection on what we have become … lewd and ungrateful…
She remains a mystery hovering above this self justifying pseudo-intellectualism .
She is the Oracle we return to again and again for answers and succor … the wonder she instills in us is nothing short of a miracle … she is a Divine gift that refreshes our souls.
Lata Mangeshkar had 3,000 hits, was able to modify her voice while dubbing top Indian Bollywood superstars. People knew: that was Lata singing for Madhuri Dixit, etc. And she was able to sing well at the age when people usually retire. Indian media weren't kind to her either. After years of hearing she is 'only' a pop singer she mastered another style: bhajans, religious songs. I don't know about her health. I believe early training and culture of singing in India helped her.
This is my new favorite UA-cam channel. I just stumbled on here by accident via other opera content, and this is my second video of yours. I am in tears. Maybe im overtired but the applause at the end did me in. What a wonderful interview. All these spirit interviews. Thank you so much for it all.
This is a health comment though. Health and art.
I am a professional painter (my name isn’t Tim Mcdraw, that name was a dumb joke. B/c I also love country music. McGraw. My name is celeste) and I paint often massive oil paintings, on a schedule which can become 60 hours on, 6 hours off for months at a time. I was diagnosed with MS in 2008. But I don’t think i have it! For many reasons. I stopped treating it years ago and I am much more healthy than i was when i was being “treated”. But… Im still in so much pain. However, the trauma of trying to get doctors to listen to me and work with me…I can’t do it anymore. Id rather my bones crumble, as long as they crumble while im in my studio (my bones aren’t actually going to crumble. Just feels like it). Like Callas, I am in a lot of pain and it motivates me to work faaaar beyond my capacity. I believe in my work, it gives me something to live for, and my condition, whatever it really is, gives me a sense of urgency when i work. Im not going to let doctors who refuse to listen to or believe me ( probably because they don’t respect women, probably don’t trust queer women,) and who approach me with such visible arrogance, dismissiveness, and often disdain, throw me over the cliff in terms of my health. My symptoms have a 1 to 1 relationship with my feelings and stress levels. So, I’ll let my paintings lead me and ill lead them, and we wont think about any cliffs until i fall off.
That said, I have never heard of EDS. Some local doctor from my hometown diagnosed me w MS after just one MRI and an eye exam! I was just so excited he was taking me seriously! But it makes no sense actually. No one even tried to search! MS usually takes years to diagnose. What it does sound like i have is EDS. I’m not thrilled about this, i liked thinking of it being a choice between MS and nothing at all. But i am going to chase this lead. And I will be sure to search for a doctor who is a woman. It’s my new rule for any appointments i have from teeth to cat vaccinations. Much better.
I wonder if you know Dr. Berg, Dr. Mercola. Both are chiropractors & know a lot about health.
Your acting is phenomenal. This is a very inquisitive and studious channel. Thank you for this.
I'm not knowledgeable whatsoever about the disease but you do provide very good evidence that she could have been suffering from this. I am familiar with the fact that Callas did suffer quite a lot physically and psychologically throughout her career and life and have always felt that the two were very much related. She pushed herself and pushed herself and broke down so many conceptions of what opera is and I do believe the public held her strictly accountable for each and every success she made and frequently punished her out of resentment for daring to be as great as she was. They began to nitpick and only focus on the so called problems with her performances to the point that she was ridiculously labeled as merely a great actress without much singing chops. Imo she didn't really give any "bad" performances until 1959/1960 at which the frequency of her performances severely dropped in any case.
Yes she absolutely is a symbol of hope. She knew how great she could become and she became that which she sought despite the personal suffering it caused her. Yet she did it for love of music and drama and the importance of its value.
Callas is amazing.
How could she endure so much and be so successful?
I am sickly as well and want to pursue classical singing and now I realize that to be able to sing- I should take care of my health no matter what people say.
This is so inspiring and I love your voice it's so calming!
Thank you for sharing...
Fellow spoonie here with Sjogren's. I was lucky to get diagnosed within a year, but that was only after coming close to needing a cornea transplant. I may still need one if things get worse. It's the same story - long list of seemingly random symptoms, most doctors convinced that it's rare (but it's not), and since it mostly affects women we get told that we're being hypochondriacs. Thank you for posting this story -and for sharing yours.
Your videos are so original, well researched, produced and presented. Brava Diva!
My NYC Voice Teacher Louise Caselotti/Bagsrozy is credited with introducing Callas to the Met Opera’s Johnson and served as her Coach during 1946 & 1947. She is credited in Callas’ Book and when Dixie Carter was doing Master Class on Broadway she wanted to meet Louise but she had just passed away.
Wow what a fantastic project! Great work presenting and discussing topics, and of course acting them out! Brava👏👏👏👏👏
HAHA you did a very good impersonation of the greatest diva of the century. The eyes, the movement, the nuance. Amazing hahaha
Very respectfully done. Bravo! And truly touching when you shared your own EDS diagnosis.
Brilliant video! I always thought there was something going on with Callas! Thank you so much for the amazing work!
Such a beautifully put together video for a topic that seems to elude explanations. Thank you.
Well done!!! Lovely perspective. Very original 👏
My compliments!!! You perform a Callas alike very well. Her gestures, her breath, her voice......very good. You've studied my Queen very professional 🎉🎉🎉🎉
Oh. My. God. I have EDS. I have so many of these other symptoms on the list, including depression, jaw pain, C-PTSD and digestive problems (& many others)!!! I didn't know so much could be influenced by this!
The whole list sounds incredible. This was seriously made and you deliver it as such and with scholarly knowledge
Oh my, what a long list of illnesses for a person with such a delicate frame! My first singing professor was of the opinion that Callas finally succumbed to a combination of a very strenuous lifestyle and a private life in great turmoil. Some of the most electric performances I've ever heard were recordings of La Callas - may she rest in peace!
Brilliant. Moving. Entertaining. Informative. Extremely well done!
That's so well done. You, dear lady, are a true artist. Only those blessed souls can pull something like this off and come out victorious. No joke.
The question remains, how come do you know so much about this? Yeah... Wasn't easy, was it? We can only imagine.
I wish you all the best. We need people like you.
Edit: Oh, you did the "ta, da" at the end. Now I feel stupid for guessing at the mystery which was plainly revealed.
No biggie, I hope. The comment stays. Let the algorithms bless your body. The soul seems to do fine on her own. ;-)
This is one of the most creative things I’ve ever seen. Thank you!
Brilliant indeed! You act her so well. Better than anyone I’ve seen. And the Ehlers Danlos theory is very interesting
Just stumbled on your channel and this is only the second video I've watched but just....WOW. This is incredible and I've learned SO much. Really beautifully done.
This is such an inspiring and informative video - thank you so much for sharing this!
Brilliant !!! It makes so much sense, it makes me appreciate Callas’ genius and willpower all the more, thank you for such a thorough, entertaining, and thoughtful account of her health and persona
This is very interesting. Both of you are so good! Thanks for your great work.
Your personification of Maria Callas is impeccable. Your acting and voice over are outstanding as well !
What a brilliant video! ❤
Absolutely brilliant! So well done, so well researched. Thank you.
As someone who's a fellow zebra, EDS can be so terrifyingly limiting... I feel for her. It took until this year for me to be diagnosed but it's obvious that she was suffering the same disorder I do :(
Beautiful and heartbreaking. I loved the video, thank you! ❤️
I appreciate this video so deeply on several levels. Brava for your truly remarkable performance of Callas - and brava for your honesty and drive to question established narratives, about opera and about wider human concerns such as "rare" illness.
This is a fantastic video. Thank you.
Very ingenious and instructive video, brava!
This was such a beautiful idea! You were a fantastic Callas!
Thank you so much for a a seriously informative and engaging video, and for being so open. All of these challenges must have played an important part in shaping La Divina, and it does make you wonder how things would have turned out had she not faced so much.
It is so sad to think of, that's why I choose to look at it as: don't be sad for what might have been, be glad for what she did achieve.
These are fascinating and wonderful. Thank you so very kindly for the amazing education on all sorts of subjects and artists where I didn't think there was MORE to learn. BRAVA!!!
Thank you, thank you so much for this video. I am moved. You are right, she is a simbol of hope. Only who has the same symptoms can know what it means to be sick and be an opera singer. She is my inspiration since the beginning of my love for opera, and now I feel her even more. Thank you and congratulation for making this video. From a singer to a singer I send you a big hug. Valentina Maria Cotrone
I've just found you, and I'm so impressed with your content and video skills. Thank you for your videos!
I’m an NP and years ago suggested to a friend that suffered from a smattering of issues that she had EDS. She mentioned it to one of her many doctors who said “you know, I think that probably is the case” and sent her to an EDS specialist. She was diagnosed with it, and now things are much better managed. It definitely tends to fall into the “zebra” category of differential diagnosis.
THE BEST MARIA CALLAS IMPRESSION EVER!
Not really. Visually and in demeanour, yes - but Callas had a light American accent and much deeper speaking tones.
Ah, but you can tell we were visited by 1950s Callas here, who tended towards a transatlantic accent in interviews!
I noticed a different accent but I didn't pay to much attention to that because I'm a Spanish native speaker. To get Callas gestures is quite difficult. Besides, writing a plausible dialogue with her IS THE HARDEST. Fiction around Callas is very hard to believe ( Terrence McNally's play, etc)
This is touching, and I'm sure I'll remember it on my hardest days. Wish you the best!
You are guiding us to health and ease on many levels while engaged in your own personal trauma. Like Callas, your internal strength is astonishing. You are lovely and beautiful, as well.
Just found your channel and am so enjoying! Thank you for your hard work. I shall continue to watch and I wish you all goodness and blessings. We need you!
I am so happy to have 'discovered' this channel. Absolutely delightful and very informative.
With regard to physical illness and musicianship... I can very much relate to your and diva Callas's stories because I have Crohn's Disease, an illness causing (in my case) severe inflammation of the smaller intestine and a plethora of other complications, like anemia, skin problems and fatigue. At some point my body did not respond to any medication and hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation was considered. Whilst being on the waiting list for that procedure my smaller intestine almost ruptured and I was rushed to hospital for emergency surgery. About a third of my intestine was removed. Now I am in remission, although another surgery is required to repair structural damage to my abdomen.
Being chronically ill has been a physical hindrance, also as an amateur musician (I play Renaissance and Baroque music on the church organ, harpsichord and my own bass voice). However, the experience also deepened my thinking about music. Music became the engine of spiritual survival, a constant in the midst of uncertainty.
I would love to see a video about vocal teaching throughout the ages, tuning systems (for instance mean tone tuning) of the past, et cetera. On the 17th century organs I am fortunate to practice on the "vox humana" register has a lot of vibrato, and we know from historical sources that organ builders tried to emulate the sound of the human voice as closely as possible in that register. Could you shed light on these matters in a future video?
Greetings from The Netherlands,
Bob
This is super interesting, also you are such a good actress! Thanks for sharing
One of the first Opera singers I ever heard, thanks to a documentary aired on PBS during the early 2000's, she remains a fascinating figures of the genre that crossed over into popular music culture.
Not sure what you mean here, as Callas never crossed over into popular music. Perhaps you meant that because of her fame, she's even well known in the popular music culture?
This video deserves more views. Very creative work. ❤️🎶
As a physician, I assure you that the video is full of armchair doctor BS.
Every time I watch this, my eyes tear up! It is so touching!! Especially the point you make at the end! BRAVA!!
THIS CHANNEL IS A GOLDMINE HOLY COW
I have been saying the same my entire life! La Callas was able to sing incredibly well many years later after her retire. Just go listen her masterclass, she sings in there many excerpts of some of the most difficult arias, and she does it remarkably well.
A beautiful and respectful video.
Wow, an absolutely amazing video
This is a wonderful video ❤️💕 Empathy is power. I don't know when I have seen anything else that similarly, beautifully combines (as it seems to me) intelligent compassion, empowering communication, operatic gestures, and camp. Integrating those things seems quite a good way of responding to life 👍👍
You're brilliant! Congratulations!
What a fascinating and original video, brava!
Wow, what an amazing video. Your thoughts make this disease so much easier to understand. Thank you. Im sharing your clip. 🙏😇🌹🕊
So nice to see you!
Wow, this just popped up as a link when I was celebrating Callas' 100th birthday yesterday. It's very moving and meaningful. Thank you so much!
Thank you! If you liked this one, stay tuned for a special birthday celebration coming very soon…
Amazing video!
Enjoyed this, and you did and excellent job in imitating Callas
So so so interesting!!! Thank you for such a thought-provoking and revealing video!!!