Opera star Sonora Vaice is making her dramatic theatre debut in Terrence McNally’s award-winning play “Master Class,” playing the legendary soprano Maria Callas in a production that heads to Liepāja, Riga, and other Latvian venues starting in October. According to Operetes teātris communications specialist Lelde Jaudzema, the staging marks a major shift for the multi-award-winning artist as she brings the turbulent life of La Divina to theatrical audiences.
Tour Dates and Venue Schedule Across Latvia
The production hits the road following its successful premiere run. According to Operetes teātris, the upcoming tour features performances in three major venues:
- October 23 (19.00): Liepāja Theatre
- November 20 (19.00): National Library of Latvia, Ziedonis Hall, Riga
- December 4 (19.00): Dzintari Concert Hall, Small Hall
Additional tour stops across Latvia are planned following these autumn dates, as noted by Operetes teātris.
From Opera Stage to Dramatic Directorial Debut
For Vaice, whose career spans more than two decades as an acclaimed opera soloist and multiple-time Great Music Award laureate, the project serves as a bridge between two artistic disciplines. “My show about Maria Callas is an intermediate stage between opera and dramatic theatre. In it, I have to speak as a dramatic theatre actress,” Vaice said in an interview with the newspaper Diena. The production originated as Vaice’s master’s thesis at the Latvian Academy of Culture under the guidance of Professor Māra Ķimele.
Did you know? McNally’s “Master Class” won the Tony Award for Best Play in 1996. It centers on Callas’s real-life master classes at the Juilliard School in New York during the early 1970s.
Behind the Play: The Story of Maria Callas
Set during the twilight of Callas’s career, McNally’s script portrays the iconic diva mentoring young students at Juilliard. The master classes quickly dissolve into a fierce, intimate internal monologue where the singer confronts her past triumphs, losses, and her relationship with Aristotle Onassis. The emotional climax of the work centers on the phrase “Ho dato tutto a te!” (“I gave everything to you!”), which shifts from an address to the audience into a tragic self-confession.
Reviewing the production for local audiences, critics noted that Vaice successfully leverages her professional opera background to ground Callas’s uncompromising demands regarding talent, discipline, and artistic responsibility. The staging combines live performance with multimedia elements, featuring a creative team that includes set and video designer Ineta Sipunova, costume consultant Kristīne Pasternaka, and lighting designer Ivars Vācers.
Cast and Creative Team
Alongside Sonora Vaice in the title role, the production features:
- Tatjana Gurēviča
- Anna Vaice (Anna Emanuela Vaice)
- Māris Žagars – Piano accompaniment
- Adams Vaicis – Double bass solo
Frequently Asked Questions
Who plays Maria Callas in the Latvian production of “Master Class”?
Operatic soprano and multiple Great Music Award laureate Sonora Vaice stars as Maria Callas in her dramatic theatre debut.
Where was the production created?
The staging was developed as Sonora Vaice’s master’s thesis at the Latvian Academy of Culture.
Where can I buy tickets?
Tickets for the tour stops in Liepāja, Riga, and other venues are available via “Biļešu paradīze,” according to tour organizers.
Are you planning to attend the upcoming performances of “Master Class”? Share your thoughts on Sonora Vaice’s transition to dramatic theatre in the comments below, and subscribe to our cultural newsletter for more updates on Latvian stage productions.
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