VISCONTI

An anecdote about the rehearsal of Bellini's LA SONNAMBULA, where Visconti was stage director:

Although the opera is set in a humble Tyrolean village, Visconti insisted that Callas wear her best personal jewelry for the rôle of Amina.
"But Luchino, she said shyly, I'm only a village girl"
"No," Visconti replied, "you are MARIA CALLAS playing a village girl, don't forget it!"