MASTERCLASS

This will be the first of the theater reviews I will write.

Maria Callas was born in 1923, in New York, and her name was Anna Maria Sofia Cecilia Kalogeropoulou, which was shortened to Kalos and finally to Callas. She was a famous opera singer with a remarkable voice and the personality of a goddess. Maybe she was the original Diva of All Divas. Anyway, she fell in love with Aristotle Onassis, the wealthy shipping magnate and then, for some reason, her voice declined. It wasn't until 1971 that Maria Callas was invited to give a series of masterclasses at the Julliard School. It is these classes that form the basis of this remarkable play.
There are only six actors: Maria Callas, the piano player, the stagehand, and three young opera singers: two sopranos and one tenor. This is a simple play. Maria Callas talks about her life and art and tries to teach the students to sing better. Here is a quote:
"If you're going to stand up here, naked, and let people judge you, you can't afford to have feelings. A performance is a struggle. You have to win. the audience is the enemy. We have to bring you to your knees because we're right. If I'm worried about what you're thinking about me, I can't win. I beg. I cringe for your favor instead. It doesn't work that way. You have to make them beg. Dominate them. Art is domination. It's making people think that for that precise moment in time there is only one way, one voice. Yours."
This is a powerful speech given by a brilliant actress, Tyne Daly, who I remember only from Cagney and Lacy TV fame. She speaks with the audience AS Maria Callas.
This is part of her final speech.
"If I have seemed harsh, it is because I have been harsh with myself.I have tried to communicate something of what we do as artists, as musicians and as human beings. The sun will not fall down from the sky if there are no more artists. The world can and will go on without us but I have to think that we have made this world a better place. That we have left it richer, wiser than had we not chosen way of art. The only thanks I ask is that you (her student) sing properly and honestly. If you do this, I will feel repaid."
MASTERCLASS was a good play for me to begin the London anniversary party. Great acting that took me by storm. Richard and I actually cried when the third student began to really, truly sing a beautiful aria. How can things get better, I thought. Oh well, tomorrow Judy will be here and we see ONE MAN, TWO GUV'NERS and THE COMEDY OF ERRORS.