Maria Callas and Madonna are Divas for Different Reasons

The reputations of Maria Callas and Madonna as divas have both been earned for different reasons and yet, both can easily place their titles next to each other. All their musical performances have and are adapted to suit the public eye and sheltered by each singer’s creative influence, in order to improve their labels as divas. √ you give your reader a sense of the discussion that will follow, which is good.

Despite that, Madonna and Callas’s public reputations are far apart.√ good Callas was considered a tragic woman during the height and end of her fame,; her image was of a fragile woman and she was seen as ‘mirroring in her life aspects’ (Phillip,, R,. 2008, p.175) when she performed on stage. Operatic roles within the twentieth century are mostly heart-breaking, where ‘almost all of the characters die, on stage or just off it, through suicide or murder’ (Phillip, R,. 2008, p. 175) and these characters were Callas’s speciality, giving her a feeble image. In contrast, Madonna is considered a ‘bankable image, carefully and continually constructed in an era of media globalisation’ (Nick Jones, 2008, p. 168), and greatly known as a ‘Pop Queen’ who relies on the public for her reputation by continually conforming to society styles to increase her performances, sales and reputation. √ good observation. Perhaps emphasise the fact that in comparison to Callas, Madonna can be seen as very much in control. She’s not a victim.

Madonna’s reputation, however, provides little evidence to suggest any redeeming diva qualities or musical talent. Specifically, her voice is ‘often criticised as being the weakest aspect of her performances’ (Moohan, E,. 2008, p.163) and she upholds her status as a diva due to the ‘notion of her as a powerful and controversial figure’ (Nick Jones, 2008, p. 171) and not her artistic pieces. Madonna’s commanding and creative influence as an entrepreneur enables her to captivate and maintain her position. √ Good. I’m enjoying your discussion Ole.

Though, Maria Callas gained her reputation by performing outstanding musical concerts and displaying enriching vocal sounds, contrary in contrast to Madonna. Callas became known as one of the most renowned operatic divas of the mid-twentieth century shortly after ‘culminating in a ‘stunning’ performance in 1949 in Bellini’s I Puritani at La Fenice Theatre, Venice’ (Moohan, E,. 2008, p.192). Having had ‘an extraordinarily and sensitive way of acting the words as she sang them’ (Phillip, R,.