WALKOUT BY CALLAS

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28479, 8 January 1958, Page 12

WALKOUT BY CALLAS

Rome Public’s Displeasure (N.Z Press Association— Copqnqht* ROME, January 6. Scores of persons blocked the pavements outside Madame Maria Callas’s hotel during the weekend, some of them shouting, "Callas, go -back to Milan,” according to British United Press. Her husband Battista Meneghini-

an industrialist, is meanwhile discussing his wife’s future appearances in Rome with the management of the Rome Opera House. Madame Callas declared that she could not continue with the opera “Norma” after the first act of a first-night performance on Thursday. A glittering audience, which included Italy’s President, Mr Gronchi, waited in vain for the opera to be continued. It was eventually postponed. Madame Callas claims that she had a sudden attack of hoarseness. The Italian press says that she was dissatisfied with the applause. Madame Callas is still in bed in her hotel, treating her throat with sprays. The gala opening of “Norma”,

was repeated last night and proved a great triumph for Anita Cerquetti, aged 26, who had been called from Naples to take Madame Callas’s role. Warm applause greeted her before she started to sing and at the end of the aria “Casta Diva” an ovation held up the performance.