Francesco Vezzoli

Preparing my installation The Trilogy of Death (2004), inspired by the life and works of Pier Paolo Pasolini, I decided to embroider tears on the faces of the actors who appeared in his movies. Maria Callas starred in Pasolini's "Medea" (1969). It was her only film role. In the past, I had embroidered the make- up on 63 images of Maria Callas, as many times as she performed La Traviata in her career. Violetta Valéry ranks second only to Norma as the role she sang the most often.

Firenze, Teatro Comunale, January 14, 16, 20, 1951

Cagliari, Teatro Massimo, March 14, 18, 1951

Mexico City, Palacio de Bellas Artes, July 17, 19, 21, 22, 1951

São Paulo, September 9, 1951

Rio de Janeiro, Theatro Municipal, September 28, 30, 1951

Bergamo, Teatro Gaetano Donizetti, October 20, 23, 1951

Parma, Teatro Regio, December 30, 1951

Catania, Teatro Massimo Bellini, March 12, 14, 16, 1952

Mexico City, Palacio de Bellas Artes, June 3, 7, 1952

Verona, Arena, August 2, 5, 10, 14, 1952

Venezia, Teatro La Fenice, January 8, 10, 1953

Roma, Teatro dell'Opera, January 15, 18, 21, 1953

Chicago, Civic Opera House, November 8, 12, 1954

Milano, Teatro alla Scala, May 21, 28; June 5, 7, 1955

Milano, Teatro alla Scala, January 19, 23, 26, 29; February 2, 5, 18, 26; March 9; April 4, 5, 18, 21, 25, 27, 29; May 6, 1956

New York, Metropolitan Opera House, February 6, 10, 1958

Lisboa, Teatro Nacional de São Carlos, March 27, 30, 1958

London, Royal Opera House, June 20, 23, 26, 28, 30, 1958

Dallas, State Fair Music Hall, October 31; November 2, 1958