First I lost weight, then I lost my voice, and now I've lost Onassis. #MariaCallas

[On Trills] A trill is a necessity this is the equipment that goes with our instrument. In these operas that we preform abbellimenti must be dealt with physically and technically. One must have these to serve the music and be an honest musician. #MariaCallas

Rehearsals absolutely must sing in full voice for your own sake, for your colleagues sake and the main thing is to test your own possibilities. #MariaCallas

The characterization of Italian music is always a flowing movement, no matter how slow things goes, no matter how slow the rhythm. #MariaCallas

I belong to the givers. I want to give a little happiness even if I haven’t had much for myself. Music has enriched my life and, hopefully - through me, a little - the public’s. If anyone left an opera house feeling more happy and at peace, I achieved my purpose. #MariaCallas

Don't talk to me about rules, dear. Wherever I stay I make the goddam rules. #MariaCallas

I am embarrassed by compliments. I cannot have the same perception of myself as the public has. I cannot judge myself and I have a hard time realizing what I have done. But if you manage to persuade and to thrill the public then you have won. #MariaCallas

It's a terrible thing to go through life thinking that you have a rock on your side when you haven't. #MariaCallas

We cannot modernize opera too much because as it is, we must accept it, which is old-fashioned. We must give it a bit of fresh air and cut certain lengthy music repetitions. #MariaCallas

You learn the role. You will roughly learn it. As I say, because these goes in stages, you cannot expect to learn it immediately. You have to give it time to be learned to be matured. #MariaCallas

All those little notes all the legatos all the everything that comes with music is what you call technique. An instrumentalist knows how to make his notes well with the proper intonation because intonation is also a necessity to technique. #MariaCallas

Even though I did not like my voice I learned to accept it and to be detached and objective. My voice is unique as is everyone’s. It is not how we sing but the uniqueness we bring – like the way we walk or talk…one’s own unique persona. #MariaCallas

That is the difference between good teachers and great teachers: good teachers make the best of a pupil's means; great teachers foresee a pupil's ends. #MariaCallas

Some say I have a beautiful voice, some say I have not. It is a matter of opinion. All I can say, those who don't like it shouldn't come to hear me. #MariaCallas

ART is domination. It's making people think that for that precise moment in time there is only one way, one voice. Yours. #MariaCallas

On stage, I am in the dark. #MariaCallas

What am I? Is she only machines singing? No, she's a human being. I need help too. Life they say is terrible. Of course life is terrible, if we make it that way. #MariaCallas