Prima Donna The Psychology of Maria Callas

Author Paul Wink Inner Lives Offers the first in-depth psychological account of Maria Callas's life and death Introduces and sheds light on little known aspects of Callas's childhood, adolescence, and adult life Recasts Callas's life in terms of narcissism, a highly topical personality construct Prima Donna: The Psychology of Maria Callas explores the psychological mechanisms underlying the hypnotic power of Callas's artistry and the unfolding of her tragic life story. Although precipitated by the trauma and shame that followed her abandonment by Aristotle Onassis and the rapid deterioration of her voice, Callas's midlife disintegration reflects deep psychological vulnerabilities. In this book, Wink utilizes cutting-edge advances in research on developmental psychology and narcissism to shed light on Callas's puzzling personal deterioration during the last nine years of her life. Lacking a cohesive and integrated sense of self, Callas sought affirmation and vitality from adoring audi