This week audiences will get rereleases of Maria Callas’ legendary performances as well as DVDs of two modern productions. Man Up / Man Down Sono Luminus releases “Man Up / Man Down,” the debut release from Constellation Men’s Ensemble (CME). Featured on the album are two world premiere recordings, both commissioned by the group for their annual new music weekend, {…}
Terrence McNally’s Tony Award-winning play, “Master Class: An Audience With Maria Callas” will make its Irish premiere. The play depicts Callas’ real-life events, bringing the audience into the diva’s performances and private and intimate memories. The story is told through a series of masterclasses she gave at Juilliard. Caitríona Ní Mhurchú takes on the main role of the one and {…}
The Metropolitan has announced that it is dedicating the run of Bellini’s “Norma” to Maria Callas for her centennial. In a statement, the company said, “this season’s performances of Bellini’s ‘Norma’ are dedicated to the memory of legendary soprano Maria Callas on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of her birth. Join us in remembering the incredible career of Callas {…}
Greek National Opera has announced a series of events in tribute of legendary soprano Maria Callas. Curated by GNO Artistic Director Giorgios Koumendakis, the tribute will focus on Callas’ early years in Greece, where she performed with the company within the year of its founding. Among the events are: First up is Cherubini’s “Medea.” Paying homage to Callas’ 1953 portrayal, {…}
Teatro Grattacielo and the Consulate General of Greece in New York will present “The 10 Faces of Maria Callas” on March 17, 2023. The showcase will feature sopranos Sasha Gutierrez, Seongeun Luna Park, Stephanie Rivero, Eun Byoul Song, and Victoria Davis. They will be accompanied by pianist Alla Milchetein and actress Liz Klein. “Maria Callas is one of the 20th century’s most legendary and enduring {…}
Cape Town Opera is set to present “Master Class” this February. The showcase will feature Sandra Prinsloo as Maria Callas in a production by Cape Town Opera Artistic Director Magdalene Minnaar. Musical direction will be provided by José Dias, who will also act and play the piano. The showcase will feature music by Verdi, Puccini, and Bellini, with artists such {…}
On Jan. 27, 2023, the Beacon Theater played host to a historic performance of “Maria Callas: Letters and Memoirs.” You could feel the buzz of the energy outside the theater where scores of people lined up on either side of the Beacon to come to the event which starred famed Italian actress Monica Bellucci. There were even people outside peddling {…}
Back in 2019, Tom Volf, the director of the famed “Marias by Callas” set out to put on a play that, in a similar vein to his famed documentary, allowed the iconic soprano to tell her story through a trove of letters and memoirs she had written. His choice to bring the famed diva to life? Iconic film star Monica Bellucci. {…}
When in 1963 Maria Callas devoted her season to the restrictive duties of recording a Prêtre-led recital for EMI, as well as a tour of concerts in, among others, Berlin, Düsseldorf, and Stuttgart, she had not performed a full opera in well over a year. Indeed, her infamous liaison with Onassis and perhaps the onset of a vocal crisis are {…}
This week audiences will get to hear a rare recording by Maria Callas, a cover album, two DVDs of popular composers, and a passion project for Ukraine. Han Gál: Complete Music for Voice, Volume Two Toccata Classics releases the second album of Han Gál’s choral music. The recording offers a vivid cross-section of music for chamber choir, featuring mixed voices, {…}
High Definition Tape Transfers has released a rare recording featuring superstar icon Maria Callas. The recording will feature a Copenhagen concert dating from June 9, 1963 featuring the famed soprano alongside conductor Georges Prêtre leading the Danish Radio Symphony. The CD features music from “Guglielmo Tell,” “Norma,” “I Vespri Siciliani,” “Nabucco,” “Pagliacci,” “Manon Lescaut,” “La Bohème,” “Madama Butterfly,” and “Gianni {…}