'UNBOXING CALLAS: An Archival Exploration of the Pyromallis Collection & the GNO Archive' opens to the public through Jan. 10

The exhibition, which opened to the public on Monday, marks the centennial of Maria Callas’ birth and is based on a broad selection of items put together by collector Dimitris Pyromallis.

Having met Maria Callas by chance in the island of Zakynthos at the age of four, Pyromallis devoted his life to this collection on the art of Maria Callas from the age of 20.

Pyromallis recently donated the collection to the Greek National Opera Archive, including some 4,000 vinyl records, 6,000 CDs, hundreds of books, newspaper clippings, periodicals, thousands of photographs, autographs, handwritten notes, postage stamps featuring Callas’ likeness from various countries, medals minted in her honour, and some of her personal effects.

This exhibition, curated by Artistic Director Vassilis Zidianakis, is presented on the second floor of the National Library of Greece and at the GNO Foyer at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC).

UNBOXING CALLAS will run through January 10 between the hours of 10.00 am and 09:00 pm, Monday-Sunday. Entry is free of charge.

The GNO Year of Callas tribute programme is sponsored by the PPC (Public Power Corporation). This programme is made possible by a grant from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) to enhance the GNO’s artistic outreach.

More information (in English) is available on https://www.nationalopera.gr/en/greek-national-opera/venues/item/5287-unboxing-callas-an-archival-exploration-of-the-pyromallis-collection-and-the-gno-archive