So we have the Monday Hotness, and that’s all well and good and whatnot, but –as much as I hate to say it– there is life beyond hot guys in various states of undress. Thus I give you The Friday Fierceness, the new more-or-less weekly featurette wherein we pay homage to women whose lives, talents or personalities embody the unofficial MftBG motto “Larger than life is just the right size.” through a collection of photos and quotes by the featured goddess.
So without further ado I give you La Divina herself:
The incomparable Maria Callas.
GOD she’s a fierce bitch, and I’m not just talking about the best strong brow this side of Liz Taylor. Say what you will about her unusual, jolie-laide voice; there and will never be another Divina.
La Callas was unapologetic for her success and the power she commanded. She was the textbook definition of a diva (I hate its common usage now) and had the talent and discipline to back it up.
And of course, there was the diva attitude.
–“I am not an angel and do not pretend to be. That is not one of my roles. But I am not the devil either. I am a woman and a serious artist, and I would like so to be judged.”
— “Don’t talk to me about rules, dear. Wherever I stay I make the g*ddamn rules. ”
She showed right-thinking ideas about the treatment of her antagonists:
— “I would not kill my enemies, but I will make them get down on their knees. I will, I can, I must.”
–“When my enemies stop hissing, I shall know I’m slipping.”
… and on the legal system
“I will not be sued! I have the voice of an angel!”
…and on why it’s never okay to wear sweatpants in public
–“I would like to be Maria, but there is La Callas who demands that I carry myself with her dignity.”
Interestingly enough, she started her career as a big girl but in 1952 she went on a crash diet and lost 80 pounds so she could feel comfortable playing the great soprano roles. When legendary conductor Richard Bonynge was asked if he felt Callas’ weightloss affected her voice he answered “I don’t feel it, I know it did. I heard her Norma in 1953, before she lost all that weight, and then again afterward, and the difference was incredible. Even more incredible was that the critics didn’t write about it. When Callas was at her best vocally, she was fat, but she got only a quarter of the recognition that she got after she had become thin and was a great star.”
The more things change, right?
Great post and a good one to begin with!
Comment by Jenny — May 29, 2009 @ 3:30 pm
Awesome post! I am going to steal all those quotes RIGHT NOW!
Comment by lowbudgetdiva — May 29, 2009 @ 9:27 pm
One of my favourites. That face, that voice…I could drop-kick that louse Onassis.
I am also sick to the back teeth of the abuse of the term ‘diva’. It’s too late to put the genie back in the bottle, I guess. Still, a shame.
Comment by Margo — May 30, 2009 @ 6:03 pm
Just want to point out that she lost that weight by SWALLOWING A TAPEWORM!!!
Comment by Miriam — June 3, 2009 @ 5:27 pm
Ain’t necessarily so,
http://www.snopes.com/horrors/vanities/tapeworm.asp
Comment by Plumcake — June 3, 2009 @ 6:06 pm