FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 27, 2026
MEDIA CONTACT:
Tayah Frye, tayah [dot] frye
gwu [dot] edu (tayah[dot]frye[at]gwu[dot]edu)
Callas at La Scala: Costumes for Ifigenia, Amina, Anna, Fiorilla” on view Jan. 21–March 21, 2026; free and open to the public
WASHINGTON (Jan. 27, 2026) — For the first time in the United States, six opera costumes created for the renowned performer Maria Callas and belonging to Teatro alla Scala in Milan will be displayed at the Luther W. Brady Art Gallery. These represent "La Divina" in four memorable roles: Ifigenia in Ifigenia in Tauride, Amina in La Sonnambula, Anna in Anna Bolena, and Fiorilla in Il Turco in Italia. The travel of these costumes to the United States represents a joint effort between the Italian Cultural Institute of Washington and the Embassy of Greece.
To tell the story of the collaboration between the incomparable Callas and the artistry of designers Nicola Benois and Piero Tosi, as well as the famed directors Franco Zeffirelli and Luchino Visconti, the exhibition displays images of the costume sketches by the designers, photographs of Callas in their costumes, and excerpts of her singing in each role. Each costume is set against an enlarged scenic sketch that became the backcloth for the respective opera. The costumes and their supporting images were selected by Caterina d’Amico (Franco Zeffirelli Foundation Onlus), and all images are courtesy of Fondazione Teatro alla Scala.
All of the images are tied together through research and writing by students studying Costume History in the Corcoran Theatre and Dance program under Professor Tanya Williams Wetenhall. Wetenhall’s students researched Callas, Benois, Tosi, and Zeffirelli, along with the operas and wrote text that was turned into the interpretive labels for this exhibition. The exhibition will remain tied to the Corcoran School of Arts & Design's curriculum during the Spring semester.
Exhibition Details:
- Title: Callas at La Scala: Costumes for Ifigenia, Amina, Anna, Fiorilla
- Location: Luther W. Brady Art Gallery, Corcoran Flagg Building, George Washington University
- Dates: January 21 – March 21, 2026
- Hours: Wednesday – Saturday, 1–5 p.m.
- Admission: Free and open to the public
- Closures: Closed on U.S. holidays and during GW school breaks
Luther W. Brady Art Gallery
The Luther W. Brady Art Gallery is the professional showcase for art from and art related to the GW Collection. Luther W. Brady, the gallery's namesake and benefactor, was a world-renowned oncologist who earned his undergraduate and graduate degrees at GW. He also received the honorary degree of doctor of fine arts from GW in May 2004, served as a member of the University's Board of Trustees, and received the President’s Medal in 2015. Originally housed in the Media and Public Affairs Building, since relocating to the Corcoran Flagg Building the gallery has created a niche in the GW community by partnering with classes to produce professional exhibitions involving students from research and planning to programming.
Corcoran School of the Arts & Design
The Corcoran School of the Arts and Design at the George Washington University is dedicated to educating the next generation of cultural leaders. Part of the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, the school functions as an incubator for artists, designers and scholars, who learn from internationally renowned faculty at the intersection of creativity and social innovation. The school offers 22 undergraduate and graduate degrees in art history, design, interior architecture, museum studies, music, fine arts, theatre and dance.