TAKE A "MASTER CLASS" WITH CALLAS

Being a diva is not an easy task: just ask Maria Callas, that
larger-than-life singer who soared to greatness as one of the most
famous and international opera singers of the 20th century.  Known for
her successes and scandals on and off the stage, this American-born
Greek soprano made headlines for her temper as much as for her talents.





Nicknamed "La Diva," Callas has been praised to the roof of the
Metropolitan Opera House and La Scala for her voice, her technique and
her dramatic gifts, especially as she sang the works of Puccini, Verdi,
Bellini and Rossini.  She is noted for her personal
triumph of transforming herself into a svelte and beautiful woman,
forsaking her heavy build, as well as for her tumultuous love affair
with Aristotle Onassis.





Now you have the unique opportunity to get up close and personal with
Maria Callas in Terrence McNally's "Master Class" now gracing the stage
of Music Theatre of Connecticut until Sunday, November 17.  A master
class is a gathering of students in a particular
discipline, in this case opera, with a teacher of great skill and
renown.





Imagine the fear and delight of a trio of students who are appearing in
the auditorium of the Juillard School of Music.  It is the early 1970's
and they are in awe of Callas' greatness and also petrified they will be
found personally and artistically lacking. 
Hers is the only ego allowed to encompass the space and lo to the
uninitiated who forgets it.





Irene Glezos is superb as the grand diva who is loath to admit she is
past her prime, that others have usurped her musical sphere, that
upstarts like Jackie Kennedy could supplant her in Onassis' world.  She
is alternately kind and vicious in her treatment
of Sophie (Charlotte Munson), Sharon (Emma Rosenthal), and Tony (Andrew
Ragone) as she encourages and destroys dreams.  Even though she is at
the end of her illustrious career, she still commands attention,
alternating between advising and criticizing her students
with reliving some of the highest and lowest moments in her life.  Kevin
B. Winebold accompanies on piano.  Kevin Connors directs this personal
portrait in the great intimate space that is MTC.





For tickets ($25-45), call MTC, 246 Post Road East, lower level, at
203-454-3883 or online at www.musictheatreofct.com.  Performances are
Friday at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m.





Let Irene Glezos conjure up the fiery and brutally honest Maria Callas
as she reflects on her incredible life and tutors some of the upstarts
who may one day take her place, or, heaven forbid, surpass her.