Stars Photofact: how opera diva Maria Callas turned into a ‘tigress’

In November 1955, Maria Callas performed in Chicago. Two screenings of Giacomo Puccini’s opera Madama Butterfly were such a success that the operatic diva was asked to do an extra performance.

The real drama happened when the curtain came down. U.S. Marshal Stanley Pringle and Sheriff’s Deputy Dan Smith break into Callas’ dressing room and hand her a breach of contract citation. Callas, who didn’t even have time to change after the performance, was furious. She exclaimed, “They’re not going to sue me! I have the voice of an angel! Nobody can sue me!”

Maria ran down the hall to the local authorities, and her anger was especially noticeable against the background of their unperturbed faces. The singer’s eyes burned with hatred and her mouth twisted in rage. At that moment, a photographer caught her from behind the scenes.

As soon as the picture went to press, Callas was immediately nicknamed “tigress”. The singer herself vowed that she would never return to Chicago.

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