BETWEEN 1934 and 1965, the voice of Maria Callas dominated the lyrical stage.
Known variously as ‘La Vocacia’, ‘La Divina’ and ‘The Voice of the Century’ her striking dark looks, large, wide eyes and slashed red mouth are instantaneously recognised iconic images the world over.
In fact, Maria Callas was one of a handful of so-called Divas in the second half of the 20th century, known as much for her turbulent, tragic love life, temperamental off-stage antics and stylish dress sense as she was for her distinctive voice.
Perhaps only Elizabeth Taylor, Grace Kelly, Marilyn Monroe, Jackie Kennedy and Princess Diana can hold a candle to her for sheer force of personality, dramatic presence and media fascination.
Now, for the first time, an exhibition celebrating her life and
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preserving her myth and unique talents is on display in Lisbon at the Museum of Electricity.
The exhibition, Maria Callas and Lisbon coincides with the 50th anniversary of the diva’s two-night legendary performance of La Traviata in the Portuguese capital at the National Theatre of São Carlos in March, 1958 for which she was reputedly paid UShttp://,500.
The 600 piece exhibition boasts the original red velvet dress Callas wore in Puccini’s Tosca at London’s Covent Garden in 1964, the Verdi ‘La Traviata’ gown she wore at New York’s Metropolitan Opera House in 1956 and an exact replica of the black velvet and silver Victorian dress she wore in Lisbon in 1958.
Visitors to the exhibition can see three films about her life, two documentaries in English with Portuguese sub-titles and one RTP documentary highlighting the famous Lisbon visit which followed on from her disagreement with the opera establishment in Italy where the Italian government famously refused to grant any subsidies to any opera house which contracted her after she cancelled engagements in a fit of pique.
What: Maria Callas and Lisbon Exhibition.
Where: Museum of Electricity (Belém Station).
When: Until September 21: Tuesdays-Fridays and Sundays 10am-6pm and Saturdays 10am-8pm.
Cost: Free entry for a limited period.
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