“Theater Through Microphone”, Athens, 4 August 1957

     Mamakis: It would be better to give the microphone to Maria Callas herself, who expressed a desire to communicate with our listeners and tell them a few words in person. Let's hear her.

     Callas: I would like to say hello to my dear people, the people who heard me when I lived in Greece at the time when we all suffered together [through] the good years and the bad ones. I wish to tell you that nothing serious has happened. This concert is as important to me as it is to you, who wish to hear me. Unfortunately, I am not used to this climate with so much dry air and dry weather; maybe I was a bit tired or I might have caught a mild influenza. I can't think of everything, and I have strived very much [to do this]. After all, I am willing to bear the consequences.
     Unfortunately, I did not inaugurate the Festival due to slight hoarseness; this could have happened to anyone. I am sad about it, and wished to sing, but I would not have sung well; I am certain that you would not have liked that. I wish to give my best to you who love me, and whom I love as well. I would like to say something: when I desire to give my best in Italy and indeed elsewhere in the world, here I wish to give even more – perhaps more than you might expect. People say they are satisfied with what I do; I am never satisfied. So you can imagine that when I am not well, I feel that I cannot give what I should – at least not the little I am able to provide. I would like to ask you for a favor on Monday. The whole world says that I give only the best, that I am a miracle. Do not believe them. It has been said that I am a miracle. I can only sing. Do not expect from me I don't know what; I don't know what you have in your dear minds. This would make me afraid because I am umana – I am alive, I have feelings. Above everything: you who wish me to sing well, please accept me happily for what I am. Do not expect a miracle. I don't know – I can't, I don't know how to satisfy you. After all, I have tried to express myself a bit, considering how sorry I am and my wish to give the best I am capable of in my singing.
     I hope that I will be able to give you on Monday even a portion of what I wish to give. You all know it. Many people have done injustice to me in the press. These things have nothing to do with me. Mr. Mamakis has brought me here so that the dear people could hear me – people whom I have known and they have known me. I have no political aspirations whatsoever. I am sad because they got me in...

     Mamakis: Involved...

     Callas: ...involved – I apologize for my Greek language; I haven't spoken it for many years – they got me involved in those things. Artists must not do that... because we should have no political aims; we belong to people. I belong first and foremost to the Greek people. I am married to an Italian, the whole world praises me, but my blood is Greek, and no one can nullify that.
     The only thing I am asking from you is: first of all, I thank you all, colleagues, good relatives (one or two might not be good, but I have so many good relatives whom I have not yet seen because I was not able to speak to them; I am sad about that). I didn't want to be so emotional because I haven't seen them for years. Unfortunately, as I told you before, I feel sad because I haven't yet seen them – neither my colleagues, nor my dear relatives.
     If I please you on Monday, I will be the happiest woman in the world. There is nothing left now except a wish to please you wholeheartedly, especially my colleagues who took my side and all those whom I may or may not know personally, the people who have sent letters and flowers and have given so many kind words of support during this trouble. I am telling you, there is nothing left but a desire to please you, and I hope that my singing will do this on Monday evening. Wish me well as I do [wish it]. I came here for that reason. When the concert is over, I will get back to you with a few happy words on the radio, hopefully. I salute you and kiss you all.

     Mamakis: The great artist's words have been taped for our broadcast in her hotel suite at the Great Britain this morning.