In the heart of Athens, a new shrine has emerged dedicated to the memory of an iconic figure of the performing arts. The Maria Callas Museum has opened its doors, marking the centenary of the birth of the Greek opera diva.
With over 1,300 exhibits that span the breadth of Callas’s life and career, the museum has transformed a former hotel into a monumental homage to her radiant talent.
A Timeless Collection
Walking through the four-storey building, visitors are transported through time, immersed in the artifacts of Callas’s life. School notebooks, books, musical scores, and performance outfits are just some of the items on display. Among the collection’s highlights are her personal photo album, a backstage mirror, and the prescription glasses she rarely wore in public. Matchboxes with monograms, tokens from her final world tour between 1973 and 1974, have been carefully preserved and put on display.
The museum’s curators have gone to exceptional lengths to source contributions from prestigious institutions worldwide. Items include donations from Milan’s La Scala, the New York Metropolitan Opera, the La Fenice theatre in Venice, and the Verona Arena, where Callas made her Italian debut in 1947.
A Journey Through Callas’s Life
More than a mere display of memorabilia, the museum offers a multi-sensory journey through Callas’s life. The tour begins on the second floor, where a forest scene and a silhouette of Callas singing an aria from Bellini’s opera Norma greet visitors. A room recreates the night view from Callas’s balcony in Paris, complete with flowing curtains, adding to the immersive experience. Visitors can also listen to a recording of Callas giving a masterclass at the Juilliard School of Music in New York in the early 1970s, where she advises students on the importance of using their face and eyes in their performances.
A Legacy Rekindled
The museum is the culmination of a 24-year-long effort, starting when the city of Athens acquired some Callas items at a Paris auction. According to Erato Koutsoudaki, the museum’s exhibition designer, the goal is not just to charm those familiar with Callas and opera but to introduce her legacy to a new generation. The museum serves as a testament to the enduring impact of Callas’s talent and the power of the arts to transcend time and cultural boundaries.
Callas, born in New York to Greek immigrant parents in 1923, lived in Athens from 1937 to 1945. She made her professional debut with the Royal Opera of Athens in 1941 and quickly became one of the greatest sopranos of the 20th century. Her ashes were scattered in the Aegean Sea, two years after her death in Paris in 1977 at the age of 53.
The opening of the Maria Callas Museum comes amid a renewed interest in the opera diva’s life and work. A biopic titled ‘Maria,’ starring Angelina Jolie as Callas, is set to be released next year, further solidifying her legacy and introducing her to a new generation of fans.
