Director : Tom Volf
Cast : Maria Callas, Tito Gobbi
90 min | Documentary | Color | France
(Released globally in cinemas November–December 2023.)

Synopsis:

CALLAS – PARIS, 1958 brings to life the unforgettable night Maria Callas made her dazzling Paris debut at the Opéra on December 19, 1958. Dressed in couture and draped in diamonds, she performed for an elite audience that included Chaplin, Bardot, and the French President. Her program moved from the ethereal “Casta diva” to the playfulness of “Una voce poco fa,” climaxing with a staged Act II of Tosca.

More than a concert, it was a cultural milestone! The diva at her peak, commanding both voice and stage.
Now, for the first time, this legendary performance has been fully restored in 4K color from lost 16mm reels.
The sound, remastered in Dolby Atmos from Callas’s personal archives, preserves every nuance of her iconic voice. Directed by Tom Volf and produced by the team behind Maria by Callas, the film honors her centennial in cinematic style. It invites lifelong admirers and new audiences to experience the diva hailed as “the voice of the 20th century.” Callas was once more talked about than Monroe or Taylor—and her mystique still endures.

About Michel Reis

Michel Reis, an Adviser at the Cultural Affairs Bureau of Macao, is a passionate music lover with deep expertise. He blends his knowledge of cultural affairs and event planning with his love for music to enrich artistic initiatives.

About Peter Gordon

Peter Gordon, lives in Hong Kong since 1985, works with leading opera companies in Hong Kong and Guangdong and gives regular opera talks at the Dante Alighieri Society as well as at Alliance Française, Opera Hong Kong, the University of Hong Kong and the Asia Society.