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Marina Abramović Debuts Opera '7 Deaths of Maria Callas' at Teatro San Carlo

exhibition · 2026-03-20

Marina Abramović presented her first opera, '7 deaths of Maria Callas,' at the Teatro San Carlo in Naples in May 2022. The multidisciplinary project blends opera, performance, film, video art, photography, and installation, with Abramović serving as the emotional pivot on stage. A companion exhibition opened at Galleria Lia Rumma in Naples, featuring photographs, interactive sculptures, and the film from the opera. The work explores themes of love, death, and universal empathy, drawing parallels between Abramović and Maria Callas. The project also included a collective meditation for Ukraine at the end of each performance. The exhibition and opera are designed as an inseparable whole, breaking down barriers between theatrical and gallery audiences.

Key facts

  • Marina Abramović debuted her first opera '7 deaths of Maria Callas' at Teatro San Carlo in Naples.
  • The project combines opera, performance, film, video art, photography, and installation.
  • A companion exhibition opened at Galleria Lia Rumma in Naples after the opera.
  • The exhibition includes photographs, interactive sculptures, and the film from the opera.
  • Abramović performed a collective meditation for Ukraine at the end of each show.
  • The work explores themes of love, death, and universal empathy.
  • The opera and exhibition are designed as an inseparable whole.
  • The project aims to merge theatrical and gallery audiences.

Entities

Artists

Institutions

  • Teatro San Carlo
  • Galleria Lia Rumma
  • Bayerische Staatsoper
  • Festival del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino
  • Artribune
  • Maggio Musicale Fiorentino
  • Teatro del Maggio
  • Deutsche Oper Berlin
  • Greek National Opera
  • Opéra National de Paris
  • Fondazione Palazzo Strozzi
  • Burberry
  • Cisternerne

Locations

  • Naples
  • Italy
  • Munich
  • Germany
  • Monaco
  • Belgrade
  • Serbia
  • Florence
  • Copenhagen

Sources