VISION
The Maria Callas Museum is a remarkable tribute to the extraordinary life and achievements of the renowned opera singer. It belongs to the category of historical/biographical and performing arts museums, and its mission is to share the brilliance of the legendary opera singer’s work with audiences in Greece and beyond.
The museum and its permanent exhibition aim to achieve several objectives, including:
- Showcasing the unique art and technique of Maria Callas.
- Exploring her true personality and dispelling any myths or misconceptions about her.
- Explaining what made her unique.
- Inspiring younger generations.
- Collecting, preserving, maintaining and interpreting tangible and intangible items related to Maria Callas.
- Serving as a hub for the musical education of different age groups by implementing a museum-educational strategy
- Creating a welcoming environment for everyone, including members of the public and the research community, with no bias or prejudice.
- Encouraging partnerships, contributions, and loans from institutions and private individuals.
The exhibition
The tour begins in the foyer of the second floor, where you can explore individual rooms that capture the ambience of Maria Callas’ three famous operas, “Norma”, “Tosca”, and “La Traviata”. Furthermore, you can explore the masterclasses she facilitated at the esteemed Juilliard School in the bustling metropolis of New York. As you make your way to the first floor, prepare to be immersed in the captivating life story of the renowned artist. The exhibition thoughtfully showcases various milestones of her journey, from her formative years to her final moments. You will also have the opportunity to learn about the individuals who influenced and guided her along the way, including her esteemed teachers and mentors.
FROM THE COLLECTION TO THE MUSEUM
COLLECTORS / ARCHIVES / INSTITUTIONS
The Museum exhibits objects and all kinds of evidence that do not belong exclusively to the municipality of Athens but are loans and donations from various cultural organizations/ institutions, individuals, museums, television media and radio stations, to the Maria Callas Museum, such as:
GREEK INSTITUTIONS
Ministry of Culture and Sports, Maria Callas Greek Society, Greek National Opera, Athens Conservatoire, National Conservatory of Athens, Atheneum Conservatoire, “Friends of Music” Association, “Lilian Voudouri” Music Library, ERT Archive, SKAI, National Library of Greece, Benaki Museum.
GREEK INDIVIDUALS
“Konstantinos and Victoria Pylarinou”, “Eleni Danielidou – Skourli”, “Lydia Onassis”, “Nikos Charalampopoulos” and others.
FOREIGN INSTITUTIONS
Teatro alla Scala, Getty Images, Warner Classics, Victoria & Albert Museum, Metropolitan Opera, The Dallas Opera House, Arena di Verona, Teatro La Fenice di Venezia, CBS, ORTF (Institut national de l’audiovisuel), Biki Archive Jacques Reynaud – Università degli Studi di Milano (MIC), Royal Opera House Collection
FOREIGN INDIVIDUALS
Cosimo Capanni & Allegri Renzo, etc.
GOVERNING BODY (TECHNOPOLIS)
Technopolis has undertaken the implementation of the Maria Callas Museum project, the organization and coordination of the individual work groups (study and implementation) and the handling of all the necessary procedures and tasks for its delivery. It will also manage the operation of the new museum for the next 5 years.
THE TEAM
The first Maria Callas Museum is the result of many years of research and work by leading professionals. The study team consists of Andromachi Gazi, Professor of Museology at Panteion University, Erato Koutsoudaki, Architect – Museologist and Alexandros Harkiolakis, Director of the Friends of Music Association.
The Technopolis work/support team consists of Konstantinos Bitzanis, Managing Director of Technopolis of the Municipality of Athens, Maria Florou, Industrial Museum Sector Manager, Despina Andriopoulou, Cultural Manager -Museologist, Music, Niovi Andrioti, Museologist – Communication Scientist and Gregory Gaitanaros, Civil Engineer.
