The soprano Maria Callas was born on December 2, 1923, and during her short life – she died aged 53 – rose to become one of the most celebrated singers of all time. And even 46 years after her death she remains a unique and unassailable figure in the world of opera and its interpretation. 

She left a substantial recorded catalogue – both commercially for Columbia/EMI/Warner Classics and on the myriad pirate recordings that still circulate. To mark this milestone anniversary Warner Classics has issued a 131-CD and one DVD set celebrating her art, 'La Divina – Callas in all her roles', a wonderful survey of her musical career.

This Warner Classics Icons podcast has been made by Gramophone, and on it James Jolly talks to Richard Fairman, a regular contributor to Gramophone and also the music critic of The Financial Times.

To hear other Gramophone podcasts, or to subscribe for free to new editions, search for 'Gramophone' in your Podcast App of choice, or visit Gramophone's page on Apple Music podcasts.

And sample Maria Callas's art on Apple Music on the album 'La Divina, which contains some of opera's greatest soprano arias, many of which are featured in this aniversary podcast.