Haute Event: Maria Callas Exhibit Opening Gala

On Sept. 23, the Italian Cultural Institute in San Francisco held a celebration gala in honor of the opening of the Maria Callas exhibit. Entitled Maria Callas: A Woman, a Voice, a Myth, the display features the most complete collection to date of the late singer’s mementos. It includes historic stage costumes, jewels, rare documents, recordings, books and even personal letters and photographs.

Attendees of the opening gala included Bruno Tosi, the president of the Maria Callas Associazione, the exhibit’s collaborators Terje Arnesen and Antonio Pio Saracino, Amelia Carpenito Antonucci, the director of the Italian Cultural Institute, and Hon. Giulio Terzi di Sant’Agata, the Ambassador of Italy to the U.S. The evening also included a tribute performance by Felicia Bongiovanni, accompanied on the piano by Ian Scarfe of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Bongiovanni sang renditions from Callas’ operatic repertoire.

Although its been more than 35 years since Callas’ (aka La Divina) final performance in San Francisco, her life and achievements are still widely celebrated. The Maria Callas exhibition will continue at the Italian Cultural Institute every Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Nov. 12.

To view photos from the exhibit’s opening gala, visit Haute Living’s Events Gallery.