The vocal wonder Maria Callas was born under the name Maria Cecilia Sophia  Kalogeropoulos on 1 December 1923, entering a world that was soon to worship her -  her father George first changed the Greek surname to `Callas' in 1929. However, he was  not able to keep the family together and Maria's parents got divorced in 1936. The  mother returned to her native Athens with Maria and Maria`s older sister.  The future world star Maria Callas started enjoying her musical training during  childhood, being given first piano lessons at the age of eight. She later studied singing  at the National onservatory in Athens and even during her student days, Maria Callas  knew how to thrill audiences - she was awarded a prize by the conservatory for her  debut performance in the role of Santuzza.