I would like to be Maria, but there is La Callas who demands that I carry myself with her dignity.
Maria CallasRead
An opera begins long before the curtain goes up and ends long after it has come down. It starts in my imagination, it becomes my life, and it stays part of my life long after I've left the opera house.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes the deeper impact of art on life, highlighting how creativity and experiences extend beyond their immediate presentation.
Maria Callas expresses that an opera is not merely a performance confined to the physical space of the theater; it symbolizes the creative journey that begins in the mind and continues to influence one’s life long after the performance has ended. This perspective underscores the enduring nature of artistic experiences, suggesting that they resonate within us, shaping our identities and enriching our lives.
Themes
OperaImaginationLifeArtCreativity
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech at an arts festival, one might say, 'As Maria Callas beautifully put it, an opera begins long before the curtain goes up, reminding us of the impact of art on our lives.'
More from Maria Callas
All quotes →First I lost my voice, then I lost my figure and then I lost Onassis.
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I will always be as difficult as necessary to achieve the best.
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What is there in life if you do not work? There is only sensation, and there are only a few sensations— you cannot live on them. You can only live on work, by work, through work. How can you live with self-respect if you do not do things as well as lies in you?
Maria CallasRead
To sing is an expression of your being, a being which is becoming.
Maria CallasRead
I don't need the money, dear. I work for art.
Maria CallasRead
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