Costume, photo exhibits mark Callas' death

MILAN , Italy, Sept. 13 (UPI) -- Milan is marking the 30th anniversary of the death of famed opera singer Maria Callas with photo and costume exhibits, ANSA reported Thursday.

The celebrated soprano, who was once companion to shipping tycoon Aristotle Onassis, died Sept. 16, 1977, at age 54. The cause of her death remains unclear, although there has been speculation it was due to heart failure brought on by overuse or overdose of sleeping pills.

In honor of her extraordinary career, the La Scala Theatre, scene of some of her renowned performances, is presenting an exhibition of her costumes, as well as a display of 200 behind-the-scenes photographs -- many of which are from the singer's private collection and have never been shown in public, ANSA said.

The costume exhibit at the La Scala museum opens Friday and ends on Jan. 31, while the photography show in the theater's Arturo Toscanini gallery runs from Friday through Nov. 30.