Callas, who died in 1977 aged 53, will appear as a 3D projection singing some of her most famous arias with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra on 7 December. The event at Hamer Hall is being presented by the European Union to mark 100 years since Callas' birth. The concert will use remastered recordings of the singer paired with cutting-edge hologram technology to recreate Callas on stage. Though the hologram will lip-synch to the vocals, conductor Daniel Schlosberg will lead a live orchestra in accompanying the "Divine Callas".
Dubbed "the voice of the century", Callas enchanted global audiences with her musical and dramatic flair. Born in New York to Greek immigrant parents, she began studying music in Greece at 13 and built her career in Italy. Her repertoire ranged from classical opera to bel canto works. She sang Verdi, Puccini, Donizetti, Bellini and Rossini. After rising to fame in the 1940s and 50s, the New York native became one of the most renowned opera stars of the 20th century. She was known as "La Divina".
2023 marks 100 years since Callas' birth and uses 3D technology and remastered recordings of her most famous arias. According to UNESCO, Callas had an unrivalled influence on the opera world, revitalizing roles from Bellini, Donizetti and Verdi with her commanding stage presence and passionate voice. Though she faced criticism for rejecting strict vocal categories, Callas' musical and theatrical talents led her to become a legendary prima donna. UNESCO recognized Callas' outstanding contributions to the arts, stating that "her fame has transcended the limits of opera and spread to several other spheres of music and culture."
Callas' continued acclaim decades after her death is a testament to her enduring artistic legacy. Callas performed posthumously again in a hologram show in 2019 at the University of Southern California allowing the late soprano to belt out beloved arias once again. Other artists like Roy Orbison and Buddy Holly have also been rendered in hologram form. That earlier hologram was created using an actor studying Callas' mannerisms, then overlaying digitally resurrected vocals from Callas' catalogue.
The Melbourne show aims to recreate Callas' inimitable stage presence decades after her death. Gabriele Visentin, EU Ambassador to Australia, said: "Thanks to the power of hologram technology...the European Union is proud to bring the incredible gift of Maria Callas to Australia.”
