What’s the one thing nearly everyone claims to dislike, despite never having experienced it?

‍Opera.

‍Sure, there may be other examples, but I’ve never encountered such passionate, blind opposition as the common aversion to opera. And yet, a significant part of my job involves dismantling this narrative, striving to rewrite opera’s reputation and highlight its sheer beauty and precision—an experience that lingers long after the final curtain falls. Like Sisyphus and his boulder, we tirelessly push against the tide, just to persuade people to give opera a chance.

As I sat in the orchestra section of Diamond Head Theatre’s opening night production of Terrance McNally’s Master Class, it was all at once that I realized: they had done exactly that.

‍Master Class centers on Maria Callas, the legendary opera diva, conducting a fictionalized vocal master class in front of an audience. From the moment Amy K. Sullivan took the stage as Callas, I was captivated. Her wit, poise, and ability to embody the complexities of Callas’s tumultuous life were mesmerizing. Every gesture and inflection demanded attention—I found myself sitting straighter, as if I were a student in the class myself.

As Sullivan delivered Callas’s often-brutal critiques, the dynamics of a true-to-life vocal master class came alive. Nevertheless, the students—portrayed by Georgine Stark, Anna Young, and Kasey Nahlovsky—stood their ground, determined to learn from the best. And with every critique, they transformed before our eyes… and ears.

The arias echoed through the theater like church bells and Callas’s memories of her career and life unfolded. Director Bryce Chaddick’s stunning staging mirrored this introspection, using the students as haunting reflections of Callas’s past. The symmetry and symbolism were breathtaking.

Occasionally, I managed to tear my gaze away from the stage to glance at the audience around me. I’ll never forget the transformation. Patrons who had earlier lamented their distaste for opera during the pre-show reception were now visibly moved—pools in their eyes, tears streaming down their cheeks during the third student’s final aria and the production’s emotional climax.

Opera had moved  them.

At that moment, all I could think was, why?  and how?  Why this production? How did Diamond Head Theatre accomplish what so many opera professionals only dream of achieving in just one performance?

And then it dawned on me. Slowly at first, and then all at once.

‍Master Class takes opera—often perceived as elitist, inaccessible, unrelatable, and outdated—and breathes into it the raw human experience. By focusing on the emotion behind the art, it breaks down barriers and invites us to connect with opera in ways we never imagined.

Yes, opera often comes with its challenges: language, cost, and social expectations that can feel intimidating. The resistance to opera can feel as instinctive as avoiding a trip to the dentist. But Diamond Head Theatre dared to bring opera down to earth, casting a sincere, heartfelt spotlight on Maria Callas, opera itself, and the sacrifices artists make in the name of their craft.

I challenge everyone to attend this production- and to bring a friend. [TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE]

Then, after you’ve exchanged notes, grab tickets for Carmen at Hawai’i Opera Theatre. After you’ve experienced Maria’s story, it’s only natural that you’d want to experience her craft! And what better way, than with one of the most famous operas in history—one that Callas herself had professionally recorded in 1962. [LISTEN HERE]

Carmen tickets are available HERE. Use code CALLAS25 for 25% off.

To the entire team at DHT, thank you. Your work not only honored opera but also reminded us of its power to connect, inspire, and transform.

‍La divina, the maestra of all master classes of life, love, and art: Maria Callas.

Elizabeth E. Wilson