Her face contorted into a pained grimace as she sang of an impossible love. Maria Callas was a legendary artist who reached the hearts of listeners directly during her performances. The Italian Cultural Institute of New York celebrated her for the fifth consecutive year with the Callas Tribute Prizes, a recognition of women who have distinguished themselves in various fields for their talent.
“I want to emphasize that this tradition has always been linked to Women’s Day, March 8. Callas was a great female figure whose passion marked the international art world,” the Consul General of Italy in New York Fabrizio Di Michele, who is also the acting director of IIC-NY, said as he introduced the evening .
“We fought it out with the Americans and the Greeks, but Callas always felt Italian. In her last letters, she wrote: “I will die in Paris, but I want to return to my home in Verona,” commented Under Secretary of State Avv. Federico Freni. She had a peculiar relationship with the United States. At the Metropolitan Opera, where she began her American career, she sang only once because she argued with the conductor.” The scene was reproduced by the works of Russian artist Pavel Kir, displayed in the halls of the IIC-NY.
Leading the ceremony was Maria Antonietta Vacca, who was “honored to be part of this initiative.” The stage alternated moments of the Callas Tribute Prize presentation with performances by the awarded artists, including actress and producer Jo Champa, journalist and entrepreneur Natalia Denegri, Metropolitan Opera star Aprile Millo, and sopranos Maria Guleghima, Kristin Simpson and Sofia Durante, who paid tribute to Callas by singing some of her most famous arias. The movie “Maria” starring Angelina Jolie and directed by Pablo Larraín, recently released in Italy, received a special award.
