Though working in the same fields, celebrated Greek Australian performer Maria Mercedes never followed Maria Callas, never purposely listened to her music, apart from the random references her father George would make about the Greek opera legend.

Without knowing, the connection was much deeper than she thought. Both Marias started school at the age of seven, both had a father named George, both were Greeks of the diaspora, born to immigrant parents.

Mercedes, just like Callas, turned to music and acting to escape from the sometimes painful experiences of a ‘wog’ child, and eventually to be accepted and liked.

“It was very hard as a first generation growing up in Melbourne, I felt quite alienated from other students in school. I felt different, I felt unattractive, and I wanted to fit in. In my world, I would escape to watching movies on TV, it was a form of escape from reality for me, as it was quite painful being rejected.

“We were subjected to ridicule, the old ‘wog’ and all the other words they used to throw at us. I thought if I could make people like me, then I would be happier, as a person. But I didn’t stop and question if I had any talent to become a performer,” Maria says with a laugh.

It was in January this year, while attending the acting master class with Elizabeth Kent from New York’s studio, that out of nowhere, Callas came to Mercedes’ mind, as a chosen character for one week of classes. She researched her chosen role, just to fall in love with Callas’ passion, her tenacity and courage.

Now, with the theatre play Master Class to premiere on 19 August at Melbourne’s fortyfivedownstairs, and with Mercedes in her dream role, she acknowledges the never before recognised connection.

“I find the parallel between myself and Maria. I like to think that she is speaking to me from another world.

“I was impaled, intrigued. She suffered from the same thing, she felt ugly and unwanted – all those things I relate to.”

With leading roles in the Australian premieres of Nine, Sunset Boulevard and Love Never Dies, as well as films such as Head On and Dreams for Life, in Master Class Maria Mercedes will take on one of the greatest challenges of her career.

“It’s my dream role, absolutely. I’ve been in the industry for many years, over 30, and including this role I have had roles that really encompassed passion, beauty and adversity.”

Acting as the launching production of new theatre company Left Bauer, Master Class tells the story of Maria Callas’ 1971 visit to New York’s Juilliard School of Music.

The play sees Callas prod and provoke her students in a searing, funny and touching depiction of a woman who knows the sacrifices required to achieve the dream.

It is an insightful look at the life and art of opera’s most beloved and controversial diva.

“I couldn’t be more thrilled to honour the life of a woman I admire not only for her incredible artistry and passion, but for the daring, honest way she lived her life,” Maria says.

At the time, Callas’ own career singing on the world’s great stages had drawn to a close; her voice – a shadow of its former glory. Six years later, Callas’ death, at the age of 53, sealed her legend as a real-life tragic heroine. Forty years on, Callas’ story as a woman forced to choose between her professional and personal life remains as relevant as ever.

For Mercedes, the challenges of playing Callas are many.

“I don’t want to do an impersonation, but try and present the spirit of Maria Callas. She was a controversial character – she was loved, she was hated, she was criticised, because a lot of people didn’t think that she deserved the reputation of being one of the most celebrated singers in the world. I’m trying to present her humanity. And that’s the biggest challenge.

“Master Class is a huge play, I have to go to places that are challenging for an actor, but I think that being Maria is the biggest challenge of all.”

Last staged in Melbourne 14 years ago, Maria says the play is important for the Greek community to see, about someone all Greeks should be proud of.

“She represented the epitome of what the arts were. Music is a very strong line through Greek culture, and Maria immersed herself in classics. And whether you know a lot about her or not, we still need to pay respect to this woman. She was so passionate that she broke the rules. She never resented her Greek heritage.

“People should come to find out more about Callas – whether it was her career or Onassis, she goes heart, body and soul. I’m proud to be of Greek descent, and probably the first Greek actress that ever played Maria Callas in Master Class.”

With the Hellenic Museum supporting Left Bauer Productions, the gala preview of the play will be held on Saturday 16 August at 7.30 pm in the newly constructed pavilion in the courtyard of the Hellenic Museum. For more information and tickets visit www.hellenic.org.au/special-events

The season at fortyfivedownstairs begins on 19 August. For more information, visit www.fortyfivedownstairs.com/events/master-class

To win one free double pass to the gala preview of Master Class, email us at maja@neoskosmos.com.au with your personal details.