Prima Donna

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 audiences and older men including her husband Battista Meneghini and her long-term partner Onassis. The propensity to fuse her identity with stage roles contributed to her artistic
greatness, but envy and the lack of an intrinsic sense of meaning and worth intensified her vulnerability to life's vicissitudes. Prima Donna is both a powerful study of Callas's life and a contribution to the greater body of work on the psychology of artists.

"Prima Donna: The Psychology of Maria Callas explores the psychological mechanisms behind the hypnotic power of Callas's artistry and her tragic life-story. Advances in developmental psychology and the concept of narcissism are used to shed light on Callas's puzzling personal deterioration during the last nine years of her life. Although precipitated by the trauma and shame over being abandoned by Aristotle Onassis and the precipitous deterioration of her voice, Callas midlife disintegration reflects deeper psychological vulnerabilities. Throughout her life, Callas's lingering view that her career had been imposed upon her and that her mother compelled her to sing professionally, led to her ambivalent relationship with the world of opera. Callas's sense of superiority derived from being celebrated for her special talent coincided with feelings of vulnerability and inferiority embedded in her realization that she was celebrated not for her intrinsic worth but for her exceptional talent. Lacking a cohesive and integrated sense of self, she sought affirmation and vitality from merger with adoring audiences and older men including her husband Battista Meneghini and her long-term partner Onassis. The propensity to fuse her identity with stage roles contributed to her artistic greatness but envy, and the lack of an intrinsic sense of meaning and worth enhanced her vulnerability to life's vagaries"--

"Prima Donna does not purport to be a comprehensive biography. The emphasis of this book is Maria Callas's psychology. Her admirers might fear that something ineffable about her magical gift has been reduced here to psychopathology. On the other hand, the author's conclusions are logical, well
thought out and clear. This is a useful contribution to exploring the unconscious conflicts that underlie art, and to our appreciation of a performer with enduring appeal." -- Guy Glass, Center for Medical Humanities, The Literature, Arts and Medicine Database (LitMed)

"Long before Beyonce, Madonna, or Cher, there was Maria Callas. Wink explores the depthless fragility behind the greatest diva of all time. In reconciling the vulnerable Maria with the imperial Callas, he elucidates both the mystery of opera's most galvanizing figure and the inner workings of
narcissism in human psychology. Prima Donna is a tour de force worthy of its majestic subject." -- Jefferson A. Singer, PhD., Dean of the College and Faulk Foundation Professor of Psychology, Connecticut College

"A psychologically compelling portrayal of Maria Callas's artistic and personal triumphs and setbacks that will appeal to Callas fans, opera lovers, and the general reader alike. A truly engrossing read." -- Arianna Huffington, Founder and CEO, Thrive Global; Author of Maria Callas: The Woman Behind
the Legend

"Maria Callas's life abounds with puzzles and mysteries. Paul Wink does not look for easy solutions to explain the diva's successes or her personal inadequacies. He rejects the plausible explanation if it does not fit the facts. Callas's magnificent voice, coupled with musicianship and acting
ability, is so well described that even if you are not an opera fan you will be moved. You will hear the applause." -- Lillian Kaufman Cartwright, PhD., University of California, Berkeley