Master Class [Paperback]

Terrence McNally (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 1995

Master Class is a pyrotechnical theater--fireworks in a contained space where Maria Callas is brought back to life in Sturm und Drang. Inspired by a series of master classes the great diva conducted at Juilliard toward the end of her career, this drama puts Maria Callas at center stage again as she coaxes, prods, and inspires students--"victims" as she calls them--into giving the performances of their lives while revealing her own. As she slips off into memories, we experience her days at La Scala, her marriage to Meneghini, and her great doomed love for Aristotle Onassis. But the dazzling theatricality comes from Callas's emotional explosions, her cutting wit, and the soaring music as each student sings an aria that exposes the Divina's vulnerabilities ... and her genius.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"McNally''s love letter to Callas ... succeeds brilliantly."
--Los Angeles Times

"His best script so far--sparkling, rich and mercurial."
--Wall Street Journal

"A play of notable wit, humanity and insight ... captures the transcendent experience. ... You share, for a moment, in the making of art."
--Philadelphia Inquirer

"Funny and moving. ... An homage to teaching as well as to Maria Callas, Terrence McNally''s beautiful new play is set at Juilliard during one of La Divina'' famous master classes."
--Variety

"Howlingly funny and uncommonly perceptive about the irrational entertainment we call opera. ... Resounds with the ring of truth."
--San Francisco Examiner

Product Details

• Paperback: 80 pages
• Publisher: Plume (December 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0452276152
• ISBN-13: 978-0452276154
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.3 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #807,947 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Oh, if only there was an audio tape to go with this script!, October 22, 2000

By 

Lawrance M. Bernabo (The Zenith City, Duluth, Minnesota) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Master Class (Paperback)

When Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington listen to Maria Callas sing "La Mamma Morta" in the film "Philadelphia," I am sure most viewers did recognized neither the aria nor the diva. If the name of Maria Callas is mentioned it is as likely because she was Aristotle Onassis' mistress as it is that she was one of the world's greatest opera singers. In 1971 Callas returned to the stage to teach master classes at Julliard, which were transcribed and collected into a book edited by John Ardoin. A quarter century later Terrence McNally was inspired by those lectures to write his play, Master Class," which may do as much as anything to restore Callas to her rightful spot in the history of opera as anything since her death.

McNally's great conceit in this play is to make the theater audience the members of the master class. The house lights never go completely down during the course of the play, allowing Callas to lecture (harangue) the audience along with her master students who she puts through the wringer, usually reducing them to tears. The play uses an accompanist, two sopranos and a tenor to play and sing the music, while Callas comments on both the meaning of the texts and their performances. When she performed on stage the key description of Callas was that she was "dramatic" as a singer. In this play McNally tries to make it clear why this is true, for even if the diva can no longer sing, she retains her total understanding of each piece under discussion.

Because Callas is talking about music in general and various arias in particular, there is certainly a missing dimension to this script. I am serious when I say it would be nice if there was an audio tape of the arias that you could play while Callas talks about them (e.g., Verdi's "Macbeth"). Unfortunately, I am ashamed to admit my opera collection is inadequate to the task of putting together my own tape. But it is certainly fun to listen to those particular works as they are discussed. Not as good as actually seeing this play in performance, but that is unlikely to happen since it requires not only someone with the commanding presence of Zoe Caldwell but several singers like Audra McDonald. This is a fascinating portrait of a person who was as dynamic a personality as she was a performer. As much as I enjoyed reading this play, I have to lament the fact that reading it deprives me of the musical dimension that is at the heart of "Master Class." If you enjoy opera, musical theater or the creative process of the performing arts, this is a wonderful play for you to read.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wit, compassion, and flair all in one!, October 23, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Master Class (Paperback)

This play is a true masterpiece. Whether Callas was actually as she is portrayed in this play makes little to no difference (it's called dramatic license). _Master Class_ offers one of the strongest characters ever created for the stage, a character who encompasses a large spectrum of emotion. Maria Callas is witty, funny, harsh, genius. She "has a look" that is truly brought to life within the pages of this play, but which refuses to be bound there!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The riveting story of a shining voice and tragic life, September 23, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Master Class (Paperback)

Let history books decide if Callas was this or that, McNally's play is not an attempt to photograph La Divina. Master Class is a brillant play that allows the audience to enter onto the stage at La Scala and quaking with fear, hit that one perfect note. You follow the corridors of Maria Callas' character through her past, her grief, her triumph, and her art as she teaches a master class. Read this play and then see it, if you interest is in a great tragic story rather than detailed scholarship you will be tremendously engaged.