The famous Greek soprano Maria Callas exhibits perfection in her presence, pronunciation and performances as she will modestly admit as she explains her heavenly status, one in which her “rivals” hide in her giant shadow. As one of the most renown and well gifted opera singers of the 20th century, she is noted for her temperament as well as her talents, her successes as well as her scandals.
Nicknamed "La Diva," Callas has been praised to the roof of the Metropolitan Opera House and La Scala for her voice, her technique and her dramatic gifts, especially as she sang the works of Puccini, Verdi, Bellini and Rossini. She is noted for her personal triumph of transforming herself into a svelte and beautiful woman, forsaking her heavy build, as well as for her tumultuous love affair with Aristotle Onassis.
Now you have the unique opportunity to get up close and personal with Maria Callas in Terrence McNally's "Master Class" now gracing the stage of Music Theatre of Connecticut until Sunday, September 29. A master class is a gathering of students in a particular discipline, in this case opera, with a teacher of great skill and fame. Unfortunately patience is not a requirement so be sure to be attentive and adoring.
Imagine the fear and delight of a trio of students who are appearing in the auditorium of the Juillard School of Music. It is the early 1970's and they are in awe of Callas' greatness and also petrified they will be found personally and artistically lacking. Hers is the only ego allowed to encompass the space and lo to the uninitiated who forgets it.
Irene Glezos is truly superb as the grand diva who is loath to admit she is past her prime, that others have usurped her musical sphere, that upstarts like Jackie Kennedy could supplant her in Onassis' world. She is alternately kind and vicious in her treatment of Sophie, Emily Solo, Sharon, Heidi Giberson, and Tony, Constantine Pappas, as she encourages and destroys dreams. Each is waiting to be blessed by Callas and told they are worthy. She demands their total obedience as each one portrays their audition in a sincere, skilled and honest manner.
Even though she is at the end of her illustrious career, she still commands attention, alternating between advising and criticizing her students while reliving some of the highest and lowest moments in her life. Zachary Anderson accompanies on piano while Jim Schilling portrays the inept stagehand. Kevin Connors directs this personal portrait in the great intimate space that is MTC.
For tickets ($55-65), call MTC, 509 Westport Avenue, Norwalk at 203-454-3883 or online at admin@musictheatreofct.com. Performances are Friday at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m., with Thursday performances at 7 p.m. on September 19 and 26. Check out the many special ticket options and note that MTC has a new partnership with the Norwalk Symphony Orchestra debuting soon.
Let Irene Glezos conjure up the fiery and brutally honest Maria Callas as she reflects on her incredible life and tutors some of the upstarts who may one day take her place, or, heaven forbid, surpass her. Come capture her passion and watch it soar!
No comments:
Post a Comment