Maria Callas - the Finesse of the French Interview

This video is a sublime journey into the lost art of the elegant interview - as only the French are able to portray. Here the guest is Maria Callas, arguably one of the 20th century's most talented and beautiful women. The interview is languid, nonchalant, refined and sophisticated - all those terms commonly used to encapsulate the very best of French culture. 

The backdrop is sumptuous and the selected guests - personal friends - are able to give an insight into the opera singer's fascinating life. Callas herself is frank and philosophical about the joys and tragedies of being an artist. The 64 minute interview is totally captivating reflecting Callas's beauty, talent and personality.

This video is the full interview of Maria Callas by Pierre Desgraupes for French television programme L'Invite du Dimanche in 1969. It features Luchino Visconti, Elvira de Hidalgo and Francesco Sicilliani.

The interview is broken into the following chapters:

- 00:06 - Introduction

- 06:45 - Interview with Elvira de Hidalgo - Bel Canto

- 11:30 - Francesco Sicilliani recalls Maria Callas's Italian Début

- 19:49 - Luchino Visconti

- 28:33 - Opera and Cinema

- 36:16 - The Great Female Roles in Opera

- 42:19 - Greta Garbo and Laurence Olivier

- 46:33 - Retiring from the Concert Stage

- 55:27 - Being an Artist

If you wish to see the excerpts of Maria Callas singing which are not included in this video please use the following Links:

Verdi's Il Trovatore - Aria: Vanne, lasciami...D'amor sull' ali rosee

- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oswoq...

Puccini's Tosca - Aria: Vissi d'Arte

- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IE9nb...

Rossini's Il barbiere di Siviglia - Aria: Una voce poco fa

- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCPXU...