Lot Essay
Leonidas Lantzounis was Maria Callas's Greek godfather.
Details
MARIA CALLAS (1923-1977)
A 5-page autograph letter, signed: "Maria," from 36 Avenue Georges Mandel, Paris 16e, 22nd August 1975, to Leonidas Lantzounis, telling him: "I am peaceful -- no great love on my behalf -- I think I prefer life this way ... Men -- real men, are difficult to find -- imagine the kind of man to be my companion," and discussing her family: "Strange how blood relations are really not strong -- my people have given me nothing but unhappiness ... As for my mother and sister -- how can my sister buy and furnish a lovely home on her own and beg for a part-time maid to me ... my sister wrote she has heart trouble and cannot work (clean her house, that's all she does and has ever done). It's the cheapness of their souls I cannot stand! ... they never give a damn about me -- It's not new but I still cannot get used to it ... it's a pity we are not a united family -- We all would of been less lonely" (creased on folds).
A 5-page autograph letter, signed: "Maria," from 36 Avenue Georges Mandel, Paris 16e, 22nd August 1975, to Leonidas Lantzounis, telling him: "I am peaceful -- no great love on my behalf -- I think I prefer life this way ... Men -- real men, are difficult to find -- imagine the kind of man to be my companion," and discussing her family: "Strange how blood relations are really not strong -- my people have given me nothing but unhappiness ... As for my mother and sister -- how can my sister buy and furnish a lovely home on her own and beg for a part-time maid to me ... my sister wrote she has heart trouble and cannot work (clean her house, that's all she does and has ever done). It's the cheapness of their souls I cannot stand! ... they never give a damn about me -- It's not new but I still cannot get used to it ... it's a pity we are not a united family -- We all would of been less lonely" (creased on folds).