La Callas, A new chamber opera, to have its initial workshop performance on October 10 in New York City

LA CALLAS, A NEW CHAMBER OPERA, TO HAVE ITS INITIAL WORKSHOP PERFORMANCE ON OCTOBER 10 IN NEW YORK CITY

Based on the true story of the tempestuous love affair between global opera superstar Maria Callas and billionaire shipping tycoon Aristotle Onassis

(NEW YORK, NY)— Women Triumphant, a non-profit organization that presents the stories of powerful women through opera, will present the debut workshop performance of Act I of La Callas, a new opera by composer Clint Borzoni and librettist Elizabeth Coppinger, on Thursday, October 10, 2024, at 7:30 pm, at Kaufman Music Center’s Merkin Hall at 129 W. 67th St. in New York City.   Tickets are available here.

This English-language work is based on the true story of the tempestuous love affair between global opera superstar Maria Callas and billionaire shipping tycoon Aristotle Onassis — Greece’s most prominent celebrities of their day.

La Callas explores the duality of Maria Callas’ life: as one of the most influential and beloved artists of the 20th century who left an indelible mark on the opera world, and as a woman torn between her two greatest passions: her art and her love for the wealthy and powerful Onassis — an ill-fated relationship that collapsed in betrayal, heartbreak, and scandal with his surprise marriage to Jacqueline Kennedy in 1968. The recent worldwide centenary celebrations of Callas’ birth and the new film Maria are clear indications of the public’s fascination with her life and legacy.  More information about the opera is available here.

Award-winning composer Clint Borzoni and librettist Elizabeth Coppinger have captured the complex drama of the dynamic between Callas and Onassis, presenting a riveting story of passion, pain, and loss. Dramaturg Cori Ellison and conductor Tyson Deaton round out the creative team.

Borzoni, whose music has been praised as a masterful blend of lyricism and psychological suspense”, has created for La Callas a lush, melodic score that evokes the sweeping passion and drama of Maria Callas’ legendary life and career. Borzoni says “I was moved by the range of emotion between these two people; their intense passion makes the betrayal all the more heart-rending, which inspired the depth and breadth of the music. It’s beyond biography, it’s a story for the ages.”

Says librettist Coppinger, “The themes of La Callas strike a contemporary chord. Maria Callas struggled with her society’s bias against strong women. She was cast by the press as an egotistical diva rather than the dedicated and brilliant artist that she was. She was expected to choose between her career and her personal happiness, still a familiar dilemma for women today. Her story will appeal to newer, younger audiences as well as long-time opera lovers.”

Soprano Laura Soto-Bayomi sings the demanding title role of Maria Callas, with baritone David Adam Moore performing the role of Aristotle Onassis. The cast also includes mezzo-soprano Krysty Swann and bass-baritone Nate Mattingly as the Greek gods Hera and Zeus, with tenor Brian Cheney as Giovanni Battista Meneghini and soprano Kate Johnson as Tina Onassis. Soprano Michelle Trovato, mezzo Perri di Christina, tenor Cristo´bal Arias, and bass-baritone Jonathan Z. Harris round out the cast, with Jeremy Chan at the piano.

Tickets for the October 10th performance are $25.00 and are available from the Merkin Hall Ticket Office, 212 501-3330

Women Triumphant is a non-profit organization that presents the stories of powerful women through opera. La Callas is its first supported production.

La Callas Media Contact: Elizabeth Coppinger, info@lacallasopera.com  (646) 818-9443