Text by: Paola Perfetti
This year is Maria Callas’ 40th death anniversary. During the textile fair Milano Unica, Bonotto Spa homages the city of Milan and the most famous soprano of the world with “Private Callas: Dresses and Memorabilia in a Textile Scenery by Bonotto“, an ultimate exhibition about all facets of Callas’ life.
The thread between Maria Callas’ life and Bonotto Spa is on show at Bonotto showroom in via Durini, no. 24, through March 3rd.
Callas’ life is told in parallel with the fabrics made by the textile manufacturing company. Bonotto astonishes the viewer presenting a series of textiles set designs that bring together fabrics and the soprano: special chromatic and decorative creations allude to the colors, stuccoes and atmospheres of Maria Callas’ life on stage. Bonotto’s showroom is an exquisite palace enriched by a hidden garden, a glass pavilion, trompe l’oeil on the ceilings and an underground pool all examples of savoir faire and bien vivre. While experiencing the exhibition, the spectator is brought back to the sixties, when, after her performances at the Teatro alla Scala, the divine Maria, used to sit at the Savini restaurant and walked through Galleria Vittorio Emanuele all dressed up with her beautiful jewelry and her fabulous hats.
The image of her presence is vivid and the audience is captured by the strength of her voice that resonate through the show. Those sensations are corroborated by a sumptuous 10 meters-long red and gold tapestry, handmade without any seams by Bonotto, representing the Teatro alla Scala and embody the elegance and power of the Diva. On show are, other than marvelous creations by Biki, Dior, Yves Saint Lauren and Lanvin, coming from Callas Archive of the Foundation Project Marzotto, her personal jewels, objects, gifts, stage costumes, portraits, photographs and valuable theater posters.
The exhibition is curated by Maria Luisa Frisa and Gabriele Monti, while Bonotto sponsored the book “Maria Callas: The life of a Diva in Unseen Pictures” published by Roads Publishing.
Private Callas: Dresses and Memorabilia in a Textile Scenery by Bonotto
February 01, 2017 – March 03, 2017
Via Durini 24, Milan
Monday to Friday: 9.30 AM – 12.30 PM and 2.30 PM to 5.30 PM
Saturday and Sunday by appointment only.