Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris, two of Americana music's most celebrated voices, were united not only by their own acclaimed collaborations but by a shared devotion to the opera legend Maria Callas. Despite occasional friction during their work together, including on the Trio project with Dolly Parton, the pair bonded deeply over their admiration for Callas, whom Ronstadt described as having "no one in her league". This shared passion offers an insight into how two of folk and country music's greatest performers viewed artistry and vocal precision beyond their own genre.

Harris praised Ronstadt as possessing "probably got the most beautiful voice, bar none, of any singer in the 20th century", before amending that only Callas could rival her. Both singers, though not classically trained, said they valued the technical precision Callas brought to her performances, listening to her recordings both before and after their own shows for inspiration. Ronstadt candidly summed up their shared enthusiasm, calling herself and Harris "slobbering, drooling Maria Callas fans", underscoring the unguarded admiration both held for the opera icon.