Marking the 100-year anniversary of the birth of opera diva Maria Callas, a new museum opened its doors in late October in the heart of Athens, showcasing the tumultuous life and stellar career of the famous US-born Greek soprano.
The Maria Callas Museum “combines technology with the power of lived experience”, according to outgoing Athens Mayor Kostas Bakoyannis, as it recreates the upscale Paris apartment where the legendary diva lived out the last years of her life, a recording studio and even a forest. As visitors explore the exhibition rooms, they are also able to listen to recordings of her performances and rare audio clips, along with videos of performances, costumes and a portion of Callas’ correspondence.
The idea for a museum dedicated to Callas emerged 24 years ago, with a collection assembled through auction purchases, donations from private collectors and negotiations with record companies.
Maria Callas was born Maria Kalogeropoulos in 1923 in New York City but grew up in Athens – where she lived through the harrowing Axis occupation during World War II – beginning her career at the age of 18. She died in Paris from a sudden heart attack at the age of 53, and is widely considered as the foremost female opera singer of the 20th century.
Maria Callas Museum
Address: 44, Mitropoleos St.
Website: https://mariacallasmuseum.gr/en/visit/
