1-23-58 Negative.... Chicago, Illinois Maria Callas on Stage at Concert
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1958 concert of Maria Callas at the Lyric Opera of Chicago, site of where she first made her American debut in 1954 in the title role of Norma. There are quite a few shots of excited crowds and the interior of the Civic Opera Building's stage is prominently featured.
Credits
Frank Koza (filmmaker); Maria Callas (performer)
Complete catalog record
Cfa collection: Frank Koza Collection
Notes: Shots of people crowding into lobby of the Civic Opera building, passing by ticket ushers and rushing in to grab a seat. Followed by shot of woman - perhaps personal assistant - wearing a jacket with white apron underneath, smiling at camera as she holds door open. Maria Callas' reflection can be seen just behind her, wearing glasses appearing to read something at her vanity.; Next shot is of Callas fully dressed in black dress and whiter opera gloves, ready to take the stage. She looks directly at camera, followed by another quick close-up shot of her smiling off camera, talking to someone. Another cameraman can be seen filming right behind her.; Cuts to stage as massive audience eagerly anticipates the performance. Quickly followed by shot of Callas exiting building through back entrance wearing opera coat accosted by various handlers into car. This is followed by shots of the stage and the orchestra getting ready for her arrival onstage. Callas finally appears onstage, takes a bow with conductor.; Final shots jump to what seems to be the end of the performance, goes to other side of stage with conductor, then shot of them both center stage, Callas carrying bouqets of flowers.
Subjects: Performances; Events; Celebrities
Places: North America > United States > Illinois > Chicago; North America
Language: English
Cfa elements: Negatives, 150 feet
Cfa records: https://collections.chicagofilmarchives.org/Detail/objects/12789
Notes: Shots of people crowding into lobby of the Civic Opera building, passing by ticket ushers and rushing in to grab a seat. Followed by shot of woman - perhaps personal assistant - wearing a jacket with white apron underneath, smiling at camera as she holds door open. Maria Callas' reflection can be seen just behind her, wearing glasses appearing to read something at her vanity.; Next shot is of Callas fully dressed in black dress and whiter opera gloves, ready to take the stage. She looks directly at camera, followed by another quick close-up shot of her smiling off camera, talking to someone. Another cameraman can be seen filming right behind her.; Cuts to stage as massive audience eagerly anticipates the performance. Quickly followed by shot of Callas exiting building through back entrance wearing opera coat accosted by various handlers into car. This is followed by shots of the stage and the orchestra getting ready for her arrival onstage. Callas finally appears onstage, takes a bow with conductor.; Final shots jump to what seems to be the end of the performance, goes to other side of stage with conductor, then shot of them both center stage, Callas carrying bouqets of flowers.
Subjects: Performances; Events; Celebrities
Places: North America > United States > Illinois > Chicago; North America
Language: English
Cfa elements: Negatives, 150 feet
Cfa records: https://collections.chicagofilmarchives.org/Detail/objects/12789
Sources
- Chicago Film Archives · record ↗ — title, year, creator, length, format, color, sound, genre, description, credits, catalog record, video
Record added 2026-11-08 21:25:16