Bachtrack top ten: Maria Callas

Maria Callas in 1958

By Mark Pullinger, 02 December 2023

Loading, please wait...

“when my enemies stop hissing, I shall know I’m slipping”

Related content

Mark Pullinger, 29th November

A hugely successful composer of bel canto opera, Gaetano Donizetti had a lasting impact, with many of his operas entering regular rotation in houses around the world for almost 200 years.

Nadine Sierra reclaims her narrative

Kevin W Ng, 8th November

Fresh out of her triumphant appearance in La sonnambula at the Met, soprano Nadine Sierra talks about being on a turning point in her career.

Elena Stikhina on Salzburg, Tosca and the reality of life as a singer

Isabella Steppan, 19th September

Soprano Elena Stikhina is in demand at the world's major opera houses. Isabella Steppan meets her in Salzburg to discuss the role of Tosca – which she is currently singing in Amsterdam and Vienna – and the reality of life as an opera singer.

Taking another fearless leap: Sonya Yoncheva

Mark Pullinger, 21st March

“I don't fear anything!” Sonya Yoncheva discusses her career, from leaping from the Castel Sant’Angelo as Tosca to preparing a new Iolanta in Vienna, and setting up her own production company.

Pablo Larraín on directing his Callas biopic

Mark Pullinger, 3rd December

Pablo Larraín talks about his new film Maria, starring Angelina Jolie, which charts the final days of iconic diva Maria Callas.

Bachtrack top ten: Giuseppe Verdi

Mark Pullinger, 9th October

Giuseppe Verdi was more than just an opera composer. He became a political figurehead. Our playlist includes nine of his most famous operas and his Requiem, described as “an opera in ecclesiastical garb”.

Mark Pullinger

Mark has been a Bachtrack editor since 2014. He is also an experienced critic, writing hundreds of reviews for the site, as well as a freelancer writing for other magazines and newspapers. He also writes programme notes and blogs on Substack. Mark has a particular passion for the operas of Verdi as well as Russian and French repertoire. Outside the concert hall and opera house, Mark enjoys cooking and travel and is probably at his happiest let loose in a French patisserie or a Viennese coffee house.