The Colors of Callas: Reflections of an Icon [Hardcover]

Taylor Pero (Author), Patrick C. Byrne (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 2002

Taylor Pero, best selling Hollywood biographer, and researcher Patrick Byrne have created a compelling picture of opera's "prima donna assoluta," Maria Callas. In it we explore the vibrantly painted chapters of her life: the colors of Callas.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 236 pages
• Publisher: Llumina Press (August 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1932047328
• ISBN-13: 978-1932047325
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,718,000 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #28 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > People, A-Z > ( C ) > Callas, Maria

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Fresh Insight, April 25, 2004

By 

Carl H. Berggren (Portland, OR USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Colors of Callas: Reflections of an Icon (Hardcover)

Book Review: THE COLORS OF CALLAS: Reflections of an Icon
Authors: Taylor Pero and Patrick C. Byrne

Review by: Carl H. Berggren

"The Colors of Callas" is more than just another book about celebrity.

Authors Taylor Pero and Patrick C. Byrne, through visual word pictures and fascinating stories have illustrated the eternal dilemma facing nearly every great artist the world has ever known: the conflict of owning one¹s self and one's art versus the frenzy of friends, family, and the public to possess their share of the artist and the art which sets them apart.

The purchase price comes to the artist in a variety of forms:
head-spinning compliments, unbelievable wealth, public acclaim and lavish recognition so acute as to smother the victim. With enthusiastic graciousness, many seek to feed upon the glory and possessions of those Famous Ones who pour out their lives to satisfy the expectations and pleasures of others.

In the case of Callas, her acute perfectionism and devotion to her art resulted in consternation among her peers as well as her devouring public. They fought against her with recrimination of her stubborn insistence on recreating the lyric and music exactly as first written by the composer. What they failed to applaud was that it was that same insistence on perfection which propelled Callas to enthronement as the world's greatest coloratura. Over time, Callas¹s great indomitable spirit was brought down by those whom she had politically alienated, by self-serving operatic controllers, and by the grueling performance demands which bit by bit shaved off the fine edges of her glorious vocal range and nuances. All of this added to the stigma of being mistress to the world¹s richest and most reviled man, Aristotle Onassis, and the public humiliation she suffered as her vocal instrument slowly abandoned her.

The vivid portrayal by the authors, without bias, of colorful events that paraded across Callas¹s lifescreen, is a must-read for all who seek insight into the life of a great artist and the price one pays for the seeming riches and privilege they enjoy.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Classical in San Francisco - I loved it!, December 7, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The Colors of Callas: Reflections of an Icon (Hardcover)

I belong to a classical music group in the city by the bay, and much comment has been made about the compelling nature of this book. I'm writing because an ignorant person has written several scathing reviews about this and other Callas biographies. His opinion is not to be counted due to the unblanced and vicious nature of all his Callas reviews. "The Colors of Callas" ranks among the most humane and sensitive I have added to my collection. Highly recommended by all of us.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Its nice to finally meet you, Maria.", January 5, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: The Colors of Callas: Reflections of an Icon (Hardcover)

"The Colors of Callas" was a real treat for this opera lover. Even as a child, I understood she was a unique talent with that incredible voice. She had such passion for her craft. She became the diva of all divas. What I did not know, was how and why she was so driven to such perfection. Taylor Pero and Patrick Byrne have provided the answer, with this insightful and fascinating biography. They took me behind the scenes of both her professional and private lives. What an intriguing and satisfying journey! In showing "The Colors of Callas", they invited me to witness the many complexities that created this empowered woman, this diva of the opera, this Maria! There never has been, nor ever will be, another like her. Thanks to Taylor and Patrick, now I know why.