Maria Callas was almost as famous for her personal life - her jet-setting her staggering weight loss her tigress-like temperament - as she was for her singing.Of Greek parentage the New York-born internationally famous Callas was the most influential soprano of the 20th century reviving a school of singing - bel canto - that had been forgotten for 75 years. Unlike most of her generation of sopranos she was a superb actress both vocally and physically: her voice encompassed many colours and she embodied each character she portrayed. After seeing or hearing her in a role it was said it was difficult to imagine another singer attempting it so fierce was herindividual stamp. Her status went beyond cult; her triumphs and failures appeared on the front page of newspapers all over the world.This profusely illustrated musical biography covers Callas's life and career. A final third of the book analyzes the tracks on the two CDs describing what made Callas unique what made Callas Callas. Listen for yourselves to La Divina ('the divine one') as the Italians dubbed her and be amazed.

How did an 18th century child prodigy become a 20th century icon' Was the adult Mozart really a womanizing drink-fuelled gambler with Tourette?s Syndrome' Was he murdered?.' Julian Rushton jumps right into the debate with this fascinating readable history dispensing with the myth conjecture and popular iconography that frequently distorts our notions of what Mozart and his times were really like. What emerges is a more human and believable portrait challenging our preconceptions while deepening our understanding of this extraordinary man and his music.

The great Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart composed more than 600 works of every musical genre - symphonies concertos chamber works even operas. In this book the first of two David Hurwitz guides the reader/listener through the master's chamber and orchestral music a body of work unique in style expressive range emotional depth formal perfection and sheer beauty. This music doesn't sound like anyone else's. Only Mozart could have written it. Hurwitz's insightful text and the accompanying full-length CD shows us what makes Mozart's music so unique and special - and how to enjoy its many delights. This book is the first of a two-volume set covering Mozart'sorchestral and vocal work.

Génie de la musique soul, influence majeure de la pop, créateur de l'album mythique What's Going On, Marvin Gaye fait figure d'icône. Loin de l'incarnation d'une Amérique noire qui se doit de réussir à la manière des Blancs, ce portrait de Marvin Gaye révèle les contradictions d'un artiste inégalé mais tiraillé entre son héritage et une sensuelle aspiration à la liberté. Sa recherche musicale insatiable, son engagement pour les droits sociaux, les violences indélébiles subies dans l'enfance, son accoutumance aux drogues et ses affrontements avec son père pasteur, qui sera son meurtrier, sont ici replacés dans le contexte d'une Amérique secouée par la prise de conscience politique de la communauté noire.