My Wife Maria Callas

by Giovanni Battista with Renzo Meneghini

Relenting after decades of silence, the husband of Maria Callas writes to set the record straight about his wife's tempestuous life, career, and love affairs

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir

331 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1982

Reviews

[Metodi Pachev · Rating 5 out of 5]

This seems not to be among the very popular books about Maria, although it is written by a person who was closest to her for a period of twelve years - her husband Meneghini. The book left a profound impression on me and I still cannot decide whether it is positive or negative. On one hand, this is the most interesting written document on Maria's life; on the other, it is too revealing and I feel certain guilt for reading the book. It would be ridiculous of me to say that this book should have never been written but I mean it. Some details are quite disturbing and probably should have remained a secret. The books has a lot of advantages, too. It fixes some misconceptions about Maria and her artistic (and private) life. But it seems that Meneghini himself did not grasp her. Neither as an artist, nor as a woman. He desperately tries to prove how much Maria loved him, quoting her letters to him at length and explaining in meticulous detail how much importance she placed on family values. And yet, she left him overnight. Meneghini believes that she killed herself and even claims to have found a note written by Maria enclosed within a prayer book close to her bed that cites Gioconda's words in her aria "Suicidio" at the end of the eponymous opera:

"In questi fieri momenti tu sol mi resti e il cor mi tenti,
ultima voce del mio destino, ultima croce del mio cammin."
(In these moments of pride, you are my last option and you tempt my heart; last cry of my fate, last cross on my path."

The book's best features are two. First, it shows Maria's artistic path from a young and unknown soprano in the late 1940s to the reigning queen of La Scala during the 1950s. Second, it provides insights into the extent to which she lived through art. I enjoyed reading about her last performance at La Scala as Imogene in Bellini's Il pirata in 1959 and how she was pointing at Ghiringhelli's box (La Scala's director for whom she left) while singing the cabaletta of the mad scene at the end of the opera:

"Là, vedete il palco funesto!" (There, see the mortal scaffold!"

To wrap up, this is a very problematic book. I am giving it five stars because it is an important document, but I disliked it.

[Emma Ramos · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating look at the woman who was to become La Divina.

[Jonathan Solomon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a stunning read. I have listened to many preserved sound recordings of Maria Callas and sought to know more about her amazing life. I had already read one other biography of Material Callas that attempted the ambitious project of writing about her lifetime. However, I don't think that book was exhaustive. I feel like Maria Callas has lived many lifetimes. Giovanni Battista Meneghini's book actually fills the gaps more and makes clearer the important factors of Maria's success. Meneghini's book is like a treasure trove. He records original letters as written by Maria Callas, Franco Zeffirelli, Luchino Visconti and Elsa Maxwell. Meneghini's description of Aristotle Onassis is also jaw dropping. This book made clear the many obstacles Maria Callas faced but in a way also looked at how many doors opened for her. There was no question that Meneghini was protective of Maria Callas and that Maria Callas also needed Meneghini for company. At the end of the book, you can feel Meneghini's loss and a sense of what might have been. There are parts of the book that do not paint Maria Callas in a flattering light but perhaps it was her focus, determination, drive, exactedness and tremendous fighting spirit that has contributed to an amazing legacy that still upholds today.

[Olivia · Rating 3 out of 5]

How do I put this delicately? I just feel like.....he was a liar? It was an interesting read, but I got the distinct impression that he was writing it to make himself look good, not to tell the truth about Maria. The whole book was reminding the reader how much she loved him and how incredible he was as a partner, manager, and human being. I felt like I was listening to a bullying mansplainer the whole time.

[David Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is contrary to popular opinion, probably the most accurate book on the great (note: NOT the greatest) diva. With only three reviews preceding mine, I can only say that it is a tragedy that such a book is so widely unread. It answers all the questions that anyone who really cares will ask and then some. It should have hundreds of reviews. Most of the other bios are just junk, at least when compared to this one.