Interview by Sylvain Reisser
“In this particular period when there is a need for elevation, I would dream of being transported to Athens on April 22, 1943. On that day, a 19-year-old debutante, Maria Callas, sings with her partner Arda Mandikian a work intimate liturgical eighteenth century, the
Stabat Mater
by Pergolesi, a musician who died at the age of 26 from tuberculosis two months after having composed it.
A concert that is certainly unique in every sense of the word.
The genius of the composer, the interpretation and the context: the world is drowning in bombs.
Greece is occupied by the Italians and then the Germans.
In the midst of chaos, an unknown singer performs this meditation on the sufferings of the Virgin Mary.
When you know the timbre of her voice, I imagine it must have been very strong emotionally to listen to Maria Callas sing this
Stabat Mater
.
For the one and only time in her life since, afterwards, she will no longer tackle this repertoire, devoting herself to opera and bel canto.
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