La Divina and the Callas Effect

Maria Callas—referred to as La Divina by her devoted worshipers—is widely considered opera’s greatest diva. Join us in this course to explore how she epitomizes the golden standard against which today’s singers are still compared sixty-four years after her Met debut. This course is currently available for participants to take at their own pace. Participants have access to this course for 60 days from the date of purchase.

Price:

$105.00

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$90.00

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Type of Course Materials

Lectures

All Metropolitan Opera Guild online courses include a variety of lecture video footage to help bring our in-person programming to our online learners.
Handouts

Each lesson includes a handout with additional information as well as links to supplemental readings, providing the opportunity to engage deeply with the conductors and works under study.
Musical Examples

Lessons include links to additional resources, such as audio and video examples, to enrich the exploration of concepts discussed in the lectures and handouts.

Instructor

Matthew Timmermans

Lecturer

Matthew Timmermans is a PhD student in musicology and a Public Fellow at The Graduate Center, CUNY, in New York City. He also teaches music history at CUNY. He has published on a variety of topics including philosophy of music, performance practice, age studies, and diva worship. His current research explores representations of identity in opera, musical theatre, and their recordings. He has been featured as a lecturer at the Metropolitan Opera Guild, Canadian Opera Company, and on the Metropolitan Opera Guild Podcast. As a freelance writer, he has written editorials and reviews for Opera Canada and Ludwig van Toronto.

Course curriculum

1
About this Course
- Introduction to the Course
- Introduction Video (00:03:40)
2
Prima Donna assoluta
- About this Lesson
- Video Lecture 1: Prima Donna assoluta (01:17:43)
- Handout: Prima Donna assoluta
3
The Queen of La Scala comes to the Met
- About this Lesson
- Video Lecture 2: The Queen of La Scala comes to the Met (00:48:42)
- Handout: The Queen of La Scala comes to the Met
4
La Divina
- About this Lesson
- Video Lecture 3: La Divina (01:18:06)
- Handout: La Divina
5
The Second Callas
- About this Lesson
- Video Lecture 4, Part 1: The Second Callas (00:43:15)
- Video Lecture 4, Part 2: The Second Callas (01:00:56)
- Handout: The Second Callas
6
Additional Activities and Suggested Readings
- Additional Activities and Suggested Readings
7
Conclusion
- Course Conclusion Survey

Lectures

Handouts

Musical Examples