Consulate General Italy, San Francisco
	Consulate General Greece, San Francisco	July 5, 2010
	Italian Cultural Institute, San Francisco	*****MEDIA ALERT***** ARTS & CULTURE  FASHION

MARIA CALLAS: A Woman, a Voice, a Myth: A rare exhibition of the great opera singer’s costumes, jewelry and memorabilia – Grand Opening Gala, Thursday, September 23, 2010

WHAT: More than thirty-five years since the final of her mere three performances in San Francisco*, the spirit of La Divina will be shared with San Francisco Bay Area fans in a unique opportunity to understand and experience the life of Maria Callas in a comprehensive collection of the Diva’s belongings and recordings.  Traveling from Venice, Italy, the President of the Maria Callas Associazione, Mr. Bruno Tosi, will be present at the Opening Gals as he shares his passion and personal knowledge of the original Diva!

Displayed at the Cannes Film Festival 2009, and in Los Angeles earlier this year, this exhibition will excite all patrons of the arts and inspire all aficionados of culture, opera, fashion, and design.

The exhibition features the most complete and personal collection of Maria Callas’ historic stage costumes, stunning jewels, rare documents, books, letters, passionately gathered over many years by Bruno Tosi as well as photographs lent by the Hellenic Parliament Foundation.  The installation will be a joint collaboration between Terje Arnesen of Norway and San Francisco, and Antonio Pio Saracino of Rome and New York.
The Gala will feature pre-dinner cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, and some of the best Italian food that San Francisco has to offer.  Chefs from top San Francisco restaurants will prepare customized signature dishes for this event. Ticket prices begin at $125, with sponsorship levels available with great benefits. Host Committee and Sponsors are also invited to an ultra private dinner at the Italian Consul General residence in Pacific Heights. 
Representing a deep commitment to the exhibition is an Honorary Committee comprised of Ambassador of Italy to the U.S. Hon. Giulio Terzi di Sant’Agata, Francis Ford Coppola, Ruth Felt, David Gockley, Randall Kline, Graham Leggat, Nicola Luisotti, The Honorable Gavin Newsom and Jennifer Siebel Newsom, Hilary Newsom Callan and Geoff Callan, Carey Perloff.

Amelia Carpenito Antonucci, IIC Director, comments, “As we unveil our new location for the Istituto, it is with much excitement that we are presenting this exhibition on Maria Callas.  The place that La Divina holds in the arts world is of utmost importance.  The exhibition will reflect the exceptional value her life and work.  We welcome guests to experience our Gala event for the best experience of the exhibition, and look forward to expanding our devotees to Maria Callas and to Italian and Greek culture. ”

The soprano Felicia Bongiovanni will be honoured to introduce the Exposition in memory of Maria Callas with a musical tribute. She will sing some of the most famous arias of the Divina’s repertory: “Vissi d’arte,vissi d’amore” from Tosca by G.Puccini, “Casta Diva” from Norma by V.Bellini,  “Sempre libera” from Traviata by G.Verdi.

WHEN: Opening Gala, Thursday Sep 23, 6pm until 10pm.   Exhibition continues Sept 24 –Nov 12, 2010; Mon through Fri 9am to 5pm (entrance fee is $7 and free for members of the IIC).

WHERE:  Italian Cultural Institute of San Francisco, (new location) 814 Montgomery Street, San Francisco, CA 94111

PRICE: Gala Tickets range from $125 to $500.  Host Committee ranges from $2,500 to $10,000. 

WHO: Maria Callas: A Woman, a Voice, is organized by the Istituto Italiano di Cultura in collaboration with the Consulate General of Italy, and the Consulate General of Greece, with Associazione Culturale Maria Callas, the Hellenic Parliament Foundation for Parliamentarism and Democracy.  The Young Maria Callas is published with the support of all the Italian Cultural Institutes in the United States.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Blue Marlin Partners – Public Relations and Marketing Communications
Judy Holm
+1.917.589.0247 judyholmnyc@aol.com
http://www.bluemarlinpartners.com/company/team/#judy

Italian Cultural Institute, San Francisco
Amelia Carpenito, Director
+1.415.788.7142
http://www.iicsanfrancisco.esteri.it/IIC_SanFrancisco/

Read more about the exhibit in the Los Angeles Times (4.4.2010) and the New York Times (3.17.2010).