Marie Collier, opera singer, with her four children, Berkshi

Jul. 07, 1965 - La Scala sign up Maria Callas stand in. Marie Collier, the mother of four called in to take over from Maria Callas at Covent Garden, was offered a contract last night at the world famous La Scala opera House in Milan. The offer came from La Scala's artist director, Signor France Suciliani after hearing her sing at the Covent Garden rehearsals yesterday. After just two acts of Tosca he went to Miss Collier's dressing room at the Royal Opera House and told her : I never knew anybody like you existed. You must come to La Scala. I am offering you a contract on what I have heard. Last night Marie said it had been her lifelong ambition to sing on the stage of La Scala. Yesterday she travelled to rehearsals from her home in Cookham, Berks, leaving her husband to look after the two youngest children Barbara, aged 7, and Andrew, aged 2. The other children, Michael, 9, and Christopher, 5 are at boarding school. More praise came from world famous baritone Tito Gobbi who will sing with Miss Collier in tonight's Tosca at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. Photo shows seated L-R Michael, Barbara, Marie Collier, Andrew and Christopher

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