For the third consecutive year held in Monaco the most prestigious charity event of the year , the ‘ Maria Callas Monaco Gala & Awards ‘, by its President and founder , the well-known artist Ioanna Efthimiou .
The Gala is organized under the high patronage of His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco and this year marked the 100th anniversary of the birth of the greatest Opera diva of all time Maria Callas , for this reason the event was absolutely festive and magnificent .
The Gala began with the official opening , and ribbon cutting by H.S.H. Prince Albert of Monaco , accompanied by His beautiful wife H.S.H. Princess Charlene , where they were awarded both , by the President of the Maria Callas Gala in Monaco Mrs Ioanna Efthimiou shortly afterwards on the stage of the magnificent Monte Carlo Opera , inside the crowded space of the historic Salle Garnier , where the ceremony was held .
Sixty years ago the same event was held there by H.S.H. Prince Rainier and Princess Grace of Monaco , and on stage Maria Callas enchanted the crowds with her unique voice !
The magnificent event was accompanied by a very unique exhibition of Maria Callas objects inside the Monte Carlo Opera atrium ,consists of objects related to Callas and her relationship with Monaco , such as herMonegasque identity card , the Gucci bag given to her by Princess Grace of Monaco , the gloves of Traviata , and many other objects , donated by the Greek collector Nikos Charalampopoulos .
On the stage of the Opera House were also awarded other very important Artists abd personalities who all together took off this event to a global artistic event .
The unique awards this year were designed by the internationally renowned Brazilian artist , Marcos Marin .
All awardees shone with their presence on stage of the Opera Salle Garnier , such as the world famous singer Artist Nana Mouskouri , the Greek famous actress Mimi Denisi , Nikos Charalampopoulos and Thalia Exarchou for the cultural sector , as well as the great artists of the Opera Vassiliki Karagianni , Kristine Opolais and Victoria Buleeva .
Also awarded for their work in the field of ecology and the environment were , Andreas Tsavliris , Oxana Girko and Nicolas Sarrut , innovation and education to Bryan Talebi , medical award of the year to Veronique Emmenegger , and finally the charity award of the year to Jessica De Montier .
Presenters of this spectacular evening were George Davlas and Emi Livaniou.
The event in the crowded Opera House of Monte Carlo was accompanied by a unique opera concert leaving all guests truly speechless.
The above great names of the Opera who received the award were accompanied by the magnificent Orchestra of Paris and conductor Nicolas Krauze presented all together a fantastic Opera concert to tribute Maria Callas.
But this magnificent evening did not end here … it continued with a charity dinner supporting the causes of the Princess Charlene Monaco Foundation , inside the emblematic Salle Empire of Hôtel de Paris, which was floral with over 50,000 fresh melons from the greatest florist Marco Traverso , unique flavors of great chefs , and plenty of champagne flowing , from the Burgundy region of Boerl & Kroff .
There was a number of different surprises awaiting the audience , such as a concert by the young talented cellist Artist , Benjamin Jacobs , where they were also awarded together with the businesswoman of the year Diana Markakis.
The program there included , among others , a magnificent fashion show by the well-known fashion designer Christina Zafeiriou with beautiful dresses designed especially for the occasion , accompanied by the sounds of La Divina – Maria Callas and Casta Diva , and finally an Art auction of art works of great artists , by Art Curial Monaco , where all proceeds were donated to the Princess Charlene Monaco Foundation.
Many well known artists with their generous donation , donated their Art works for the above mentioned cause such as , Marcos Marin , Laurence Jenk , Ioanna Efthimiou , Picasso’s nephew- painter Jacob Vilato , Kostis Georgiou , Olga Goulandris , Dimitris Bakopanos , Erik Salin , André Monet etc.
More than three hundred guests were attended in this such beautiful evening , coming at the Principality not only from Monaco but also from many world countries .
All guests left with the best impressions , having in their minds all this unique and unforgettable experience that they lived in Monte Carlo , with the Princely couple together of great Opera Artists , in order to honor all the occasion of the 100 years since the birth of Maria Callas .
A few of the main supporters of this historic event were : VNK Capital , ADMCS , AHURA ,Clinic Lemanic , Art Curial Monaco , Tsavliris Salvage , Aegean , etc..
Official press partner : Hello Monaco .