| VENICE - It is not a novelty to
portray an ikon of the 20th , as Ulisse Sartini, the
painter who immortalized princesses, cardinals ( even
the Pope Giovanni II ), and worldwide reputation artists,
did. But the human context, in the last effort of the
master, justifies the involvement in it.
In addition to the artist from Piacenza,
this event brings together one of the legendary voice
of “bel canto”, a music temple and the admiration
of a man who lived in the shadow of the myth for twenty
years, keeping an extraordinary, appreciative and everlasting
memory.
Maria Callas, the renewed Fenice Theatre in Venice and
Ferruccio Mezzadri, from Piacenza too, who worked from
1957 to the tragic September 1977 for the great soprano,
will be ideally together on Wednesday 13th July, when
the prestigious foundation will be given the singer
portrait of Ulisse Sartini, commissioned by Mezzadri.
Ulisse Sartini had already created
two greatly esteemed works: the first (1980) is at the
Museum of the Scala Theatre and was supported by Maria
Callas’s former husband, G.B.Meneghini.
The deep expression of the leading lady’s face
revives on canvas in 1991 and now it is at the new Music
Theatre in Athens.Two years ago Sartini was approached
at Palazzo Bagatti Valsecchi in Milan, in occasion of
his exhibition, by Ferruccio Mezzadri, impressed by
the way Sartini had been able to portray the personality
of the singer.
“He told me he wanted to give a tribute to Maria
Callas, after her death, either for the Opera of Paris,
where Callas had lived for a long time, or for the Fenice
in Venice.”Here she revealed herself in“Tristano
and Isotta” and, furthermore, in the “Puritani”of
Bellini, being praised by critics, few days later she
had sung “Valchiria” of Wagner.
Callas portrayed with her beloved little dogs Pixie
and Djedda
The painter consigned his work in 2003
and six months later he received a phone call by the
client.
“He told me he had changed his mind and wanted
to donate the portrait soon.” With the help of
Bruno Tosi, President of the Association Callas, he
had the consent by the Fenice. The placing for the portrait,
the first row of the stalls, was examined by Pier Luigi
Pizzi and the supervisor Vianello”.
Ferruccio Mezzadri saw Callas for
the first time in the “Traviata” at the
Scala Theatre in 1955 and, even if it wa the first time,
he was enchanted by the singer’s voice and mastery,
and he thought it was a dream when Giordano’s
widow introduced him to Callas and Meneghini. In 1957
he was engaged as chauffer and butler.
Talking about that time Mezzadri says: “They were
the best years of my youth. I have wonderful memories.
The Lady always gave me good advices, dealing with,
me and the people who worked for her, in a friendly
and respectful way”.
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