Maria Callas, a woman, a voice, a myth

Last night at Megaro Mousikis I was at the opening of the exhibition 'Maria Callas and La Scala'. An exhibition of magnificent costumes, historical photographs and drawings.

Maria Callas (December 2, 1923 – September 16, 1977) became well-known in the fifties with her appearances as opera singer in Milan's Opera House 'La Scala'. But besides her exceptional voice, she became also as woman, as diva, a legend. Wearing these amazing costumes contributed to all of it.

The cultural cooperation between Megaro Mousikis and 'La Scala' made this major exhibition possible, it includes a large number of rare costumes worn by Callas in her great operatic roles, as well as photographs, objects, videos and original recordings of her performances. There is also a section dedicated to the history of La Scala, the centre of world opera, full with architectonic drawings and posters.

Costume design by Piero Zuffi for 'Il pirata' by Vincenzo Bellini, Maria Callas as Ifigenia

Twenty costumes from opera's like Medea, Macbeth, Don Carlo and Alceste are presented in the foyer of Megara Mousikis.The designers, like Piero Zuffi, Salvatore Fiume and Nicola Benoit, who undertook dressing 'La divina' came up with garments of unexceptionable style, attractive colours and an artistic aesthetic that theatre audiences had not encountered before.

Costume design by Nicola Benoit for Fedora by Umberto Giordano

Costume design by Nicola Benoit for Maria Callas as Elisabeth of Valois

Costume design by Nicola Benoit for Ifigenia en Tauride by Christoph Willibald Gluck



Design drawing by Salvatore Fiume for Medea




Silk hand-painted costume by Salvatore Fiume for Cherubini’s Medea



Efi Andreadi is the curator of the exhibition.

And Guest of Honour, Mr. Karolos Papoulias, president of Greece.

The exhibition is until the 8th of May, daily from 10:00 - 18:00. For more information click here