Maria Callas Museum Opens in Athens

The Maria Callas Museum has opened in Athens, Greece, at 44 Mitropoleos Street, inside the Technopolis complex. Inaugurated for the 100th anniversary of the artist's birth, the museum occupies a three-story neoclassical building near the Acropolis. It houses a collection of memorabilia belonging to the soprano, including letters, photographs, books, stage costumes, her hated glasses, and a notebook used to memorize roles. Also on display are gifts such as a drawing by Manolo Blahnik inspired by Callas, donated by the Maria Callas Greek Society, and locks of hair kept by her hairdresser and later sold at auction. The museum features a large archive of rare audio and video clips. The exhibition begins on the second floor, showcasing early career memorabilia and reconstructions of stage sets from La Traviata, Norma, and Tosca. It traces her international career, her expressive singing and acting style, and lesser-known moments such as her course at the Juilliard School in New York. The collection, accumulated by the Municipality of Athens since 2000, includes about 1,000 objects acquired through auctions, donations, and loans. Mayor Kostas Bakoyannis stated, 'Athens was in debt of honor to the legendary Diva. The Maria Callas Museum, the first in the world, makes us all proud.'