I don't get it either, then, Jarkko....except to say that they must have decided to do a retrospective of her on the anniversary of her birth [1923 ~ now 2003]? All of the commentary was in present tense. There can only be one Maria Callas. I learned of her in the early 60s and have recordings of her. I guess the Saturday afternoon, Metropolitan Opera broadcasts that I listen to with her singing are recordings from long past....and so much time has passed that they don't bother talking about her no longer being around. In 1977, my life had [since 1971] taken a dramatic turn, to where I had only my recordings, listening to nothing on the radio, so as bizarre as it may sound, I have missed all references to her
death. I have a lasting image of her beauty, and you know how that is, as you grow older, you tend to forget that people age, and that she would no longer look like that [i.e. be that age] this many years later. I was just shocked to hear about it, and I didn't make the conceptual leap that 53, though near my age now, would not have made her so near my age then.
So, my long-past-due condolences remain. Thanks for your clarification and correction. Had no idea I'd get the chance to apologize for misinformation so soon

~ divine providence.
~ Elizabeth