Burberry Designs Costumes for Marina Abramović’s “7 Deaths of Maria Callas”

The performance artist developed the project with composer Marko Nikodijević, following a lifelong study of the opera singer Maria Callas. Abramović directed and designed the set, while also appearing on stage. Featuring famous Callas scenes from Carmen, Tosca, Otello, Lucia di Lammermoor, Norma, Madame Butterfly and Tosca, 7 Deaths of Maria Callas highlights both the tragic fates of Callas’s characters and her life story. “I want to re-enact the death scenes from seven operas – seven deaths that Maria Callas has died before me,” the artist said in a statement.

The design process for the project’s costumes was a joint creative experience between close friends Abramović and Tisci, interpreting theatrical costumes of opera through a modern lens. “Riccardo had to make all the costumes because we are love, he is fashion and I am art, two worlds that cross over in a creative dialogue of love, respect and freedom,” said Abramović. The costumes serve as a key component in the character’s journey, featuring a sleeveless sheer net gown hand-linked with teardrop crystal for Otello, a pearl silk-satin gown with floral motifs for Lucia Di Lammermoor, a red oversized crepe Toledo jacket in light-catching crystal embroidery and fringing for Carmen, a gold sequined high-neck gown for the Final Look, and more.

7 Deaths of Maria Callas will also be live streamed on Staatsoper.Tv on September 5 and will be available to watch on demand for 30 days from September 7.