Meaning: This quote by Maria Callas, a renowned opera singer, captures the essence of the transformative power of performance. Maria Callas was known for her intense and emotionally charged performances, and her words reflect the experience of many artists who feel a sense of transcendence when they are on stage. When she says, "I don't know what happens to me on stage. Something else seems to take over," Callas is conveying the idea that there is a mysterious and almost mystical force that comes into play when she is performing. This force seems to take control of her, allowing her to transcend her own self and become a vessel for the music and the emotions it conveys.

Maria Callas was a highly influential and groundbreaking figure in the world of opera. Born in New York City in 1923 to Greek immigrant parents, she went on to become one of the most celebrated and influential opera singers of the 20th century. Her voice was known for its dramatic intensity and emotional depth, and she was renowned for her powerful stage presence and ability to inhabit her characters with a rare authenticity. Callas was not only a remarkable vocalist but also a highly skilled actress, and her performances were known for their raw emotional power and dramatic impact.

In her quote, Callas hints at the experience of "flow," a concept popularized by psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. Flow is a state of complete absorption in an activity, where one's sense of self and time seem to dissolve, and there is a feeling of effortless control and deep enjoyment. Many performers, athletes, and artists describe experiencing this state when they are deeply engaged in their craft. For Callas, the feeling of something else taking over on stage may be a manifestation of this flow state, where she is so fully immersed in the music and the performance that her conscious self seems to recede, allowing her to become a conduit for the emotional and artistic expression at hand.

The idea of something else taking over on stage also speaks to the idea of artistic inspiration and creativity. Throughout history, artists and performers have often described their creative process as being guided by a force beyond their conscious control. Whether it is described as a muse, divine inspiration, or simply a mysterious and ineffable impulse, many artists feel that their best work comes from a place that is beyond their own individual selves. Callas's quote captures this sense of being a channel for something greater than oneself, a force that propels her to new heights of artistic expression and emotional intensity.

Furthermore, Callas's words also touch upon the idea of performance as a form of self-transcendence. When she says that something else seems to take over on stage, she is expressing the idea that performing allows her to move beyond the limitations of her own self and connect with something larger and more profound. This idea is echoed in the experiences of many performers who describe feeling a sense of liberation and expansion when they are on stage, as if they are able to access a deeper and more authentic part of themselves. In this sense, the act of performing becomes a transformative and almost spiritual experience, allowing the performer to break free from the constraints of their everyday self and connect with something transcendent and universal.

In conclusion, Maria Callas's quote encapsulates the profound and elusive nature of the performing arts. Her words capture the sense of transcendence and transformation that many artists experience when they are on stage, as well as the mysterious and inexplicable forces that seem to come into play during the act of performance. Through her quote, Callas offers a glimpse into the enigmatic and captivating nature of artistic expression, and the profound impact it can have on both the performer and the audience.