COVER N. 355 - FRANCE

Postmark: Premier Jour Maria Callas 1923-1977 08.11.2023

Posted on the 8th November; received on the 20th November 2023

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La Divina...

Probably the most famous opera singer there ever was, Maria Callas, born Kalogeropoulou, a family name which her father eventually changed to Callas, given the difficulty non-Greeks had  in correctly pronouncing it,  lived a life that would lend itself quite well to one of the dramatic operas which she sang, to the joy of her countless fans and admirers.

From her difficult relationship with her mother, to the rivalry with Renata Tebaldi, her failed marriage with Greek magnate Aristotle Onassis, who would divorce her to  marry  Jacky Kennedy,  everything about her had an aura of drama and tragedy that would eventually caught up with her in Paris, when her heart finally failed the score, at the quite young age of 53.

Still she will forever be remembered as the Diva of Divas, and a  name that could be evoked as a mark of distinction as I so well remember from my high school days, when my music education teacher would often let us know, bursting with pride, that he had been in the audience on that 27th March 1958 when la Divina played Violetta in Verdi's La Traviata, at São Carlos Theatre in Lisbon.

Now, I don't want to be crucified alive, but I will confess, on a personal note, that  I am not really a fan of Maria Callas timbre of voice. I cannot explain it but there's something about it that does not quite appeal to my musical buds, but on the other hand, I have to say that I find her photo on the stamp issued by La Poste to honour her on the centennial of her birth, absolutely marvellous.

Un grand Merci, Roland, for this beautiful cover.

On 13NOV2023, La Poste issued a 1,80€ stamp in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Birth of Maia Callas, illustrated with a stunning photo portrait by Jerald (Jerry) Tiffany and the legend "Maria Callas 1923-1977".

The stamp is cancelled with a First day postmark which is as simple and classy as the stamp itself, containing as its main graphic element the signature of the celebrated singer.