Maria Callas Singt 1957 Rezitativ Und Arie Der Elvira Aus Ernani 1844 Von Giuseppe Verdi

At the beginning of 1964, the music world experiences something completely unexpected. Maria Callas returns to the opera stage as the prima donna. Her "Tosca" at the Royal Opera House becomes a sensation. Maria Callas wants to show everyone once again that she deserves the title of "prima donna assoluta." On the condition that star director Franco Zeffirelli take over the direction, the exceptional singer agrees to sing the role of Tosca. The BBC recorded the 2nd act of the opera for television. It is one of the most dramatic acts in opera history: in order to free the painter Cavaradossi from the hands of torturers, Tosca ends up murdering the police chief Scarpia. The film footage is one of the rare opportunities to see Maria Callas in an opera performance and to experience her highly emotional performance art and vocal abilities.

"Of all the female interpreters I know, Maria Callas was the one who, in her expressive power, could let time stand so long until all fear disappeared, including that of death itself, and reached a state similar to what should be called happiness has been. Just as a blind person develops his sense of hearing and touch better than a sighted person, Maria Callas was proof that one could work out of oneself without following stupid rules in a restricted system - she was too short-sighted to ever take the baton from the stage to be able to see the conductor - can turn weaknesses into one's own creativity without looking." - Werner Schroeter