BWW Interviews: Opera Legend Maria Callas Comes to Life in CATCO's MASTER CLASS

Opera fanatics and newcomers alike will discover the mysterious world behind the stage curtain in CATCO's production of "Master Class."

Transported to an intimate voice master class at the Juliard School, audiences will come face-to-face with the larger-than-life persona of Maria Callas, one of the 20th century's most revered and influential opera singers.

Drawing upon Callas' legacy as a glamorous and commanding presence in the world of stage performance and opera, Terrance McNally's "Master Class" explores the personal and professional life of Callas, from her beginnings as a self-proclaimed "ugly duckling," to her rise to stardom at La Scala.

"Maria Callas was probably the first polarizing opera superstar. There was no in between with Maria Callas. People either loved her or they hated her," said CATCO associate producing director Joe Bishara. "It is interesting to have a chance to see why that could be. All of the different biographies about her all have a different take on it. McNally has a different take on it."

Bishara said he chose to bring McNally's 1996 Tony award-winning play to Columbus partly out of the strong ties he feels to Callas and the art of opera.

"I grew up listening to Maria Callas," he said. "What I like about it is it is also a love letter to the art of opera."

Even the staging will evoke the atmosphere of a grand opera house, Bishara said, acknowledging that the set is similar to the recital halls in which he received his training in vocal performance.

"I wanted something that looked like the recital hall that I studied vocal performance in," he said. "So there are some tributes to Jemison Auditorium at Ohio Wesleyan University. The wood paneling, the pillars... Whatever venue we pick is really just trying to be as true as we possibly can to our scenic hopes and desires for bringing the play to life."

CATCO's production of "Master Class" is presented in association with Opera Columbus, and is included in the company's 30th season.

"I think what people are drawn to is seeing stories about others that have a tremendous amount of passion and enthusiasm for their work and their art," he said. "I think that is the unifying theme throughout the entire season."

Bishara said, although the play explores some of the more sensationalistic aspects of Callas' life, including her highly publicized affair with Aristotle Onassis and her infamous temperamental behavior, he hopes that the audience comes away from the show with a renewed appreciation for what it takes to create art.

"I think that you can't help but have a tremendous amount of compassion for an artist, especially an artist like Callas, after sitting and watching this story unfold," he said. "Because artists truly do sacrifice a lot in order to create what is put on the stage. Study (Callas), and listen to her recordings. Watch her, watch YouTube clips of her and see that she was more than just a voice. She really was someone who approached this craft and gave all of herself to that craft. That is what you have to do as an artist to be successful."

CATCO's production of "Master Class" is set to be performed at the Studio One Theatre in the Vern Riffe Center until March 1.

Show times and ticket information can be found on CATCO's website.

The Vern Riffe Center is located at 77 S. High Street.

Photo Credit: Ben Sostrom

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