MARIA C. MORENDO by Olga Laskaratou

“MARIA C. MORENDO*” play is a concept of Olga Laskaratou written and directed by her. On the occasion of the tribute, she was assigned to create for SKAI radio station in 2007, due to “Callas” Year and the 30th anniversary since the great artist’s death, a “journey” had already initiated for the creation of the particular play that finished in 2009. It was exactly then, that the idea came into effect and had its premiere at theatre “Eilissos” while in November 2010 was again presented at thetre “Sofouli” in the city of Thessaloniki. The great success of the whole effort, brings now the play again in Athens, at Michael Cacoyannis Foundation, at BlackBox Hall every Monday and Tuesday from January 11th.

A few words for the play

Just a few days before her life’s end, the great Diva is all alone in her apartment in Paris. Isolated and abandoned by her friends, she experiences an illusion that she is backstage in her dressing room just before a performance. Her effort to get prepared for one more appearance leads her to a journey through memories. Family and love shade the revival of all those bright years. Childhood in USA, Athens years, the golden period at Milan Scala and the last years in Paris are the main standpoints of her personal as well as artistic life. During her maundering, she recalls advises of her great tutors, moments with people she worked with, swinging between the effort for personal happiness and her unique passion for the Opera: the Art that served faithfully during her whole life.

*Morendo  (=it. “fade out”) musical and performing instruction which means that music has to fade out gradually. It is used in Opera for death scenes.