Philippine Opera Company will be staging the local version of the Tony Award-winning play, Master Class, which is about the legendary opera diva Maria Callas. Witness Cherie Gil play the role of the American-born Greek soprano who lived during the 1950s.

Master Class gives us a peek inside the public and private world of opera's famous diva. Maria was the leading star of the international opera circuit, performing in such famed houses as La Scala, The Metropolitan Opera House, Covent Garden, Paris Opera, and in such starring roles as Norma, Medea, Carmen, Lucia and Tosca. In 1971 (just six years before her death), Callas was still one of the most admired opera singers of all time. Her enormous fame has earned her the prestigious invitation to teach a series of master classes at the famed Julliard School of Music. It is within the four walls of this master class that this story springs forth.

This moving drama depicts the fictional class conducted for three students by Callas at the end of her career. In the process, she recounts her long tumultuous life as opera's grand dame and reveals rare glimpses of her private life as paramour to billionaire Aristotle Onassis. Dubbed as La Divina for her outstanding singing skills, Callas died in 1977 at the age of 53.

Master Class will run at the Carlos P. Romulo Theater, RCBC Plaza, Makati City, with 10 performances scheduled on October 9-12, 17-19, 23-25, 2008 at 8 p.m.

For block ticket sales, please call the Philippine Opera Company at 892-8786 and TicketWorld at 891-9999.