Shirley Bassey and other dazzling stars were honored at this year’s Grand Prix Maria Callas Monaco Awards. Those fortunate enough to secure an invitation experienced a magnificent evening at the glamorous fifth edition of the GRAND PRIX Maria Callas Monaco Gala & Awards, which has now become a tradition in Monte Carlo.

The organizer of this charitable event, dedicated this year to children, is the President of the initiative and renowned painter, Ioanna Efthymiou, along with esteemed guests who arrived at the historic Opera of Monte Carlo from various corners of the globe to attend this unique and spectacular artistic event, which gains more fervent supporters each year.

The host for this significant night was the well-known PR Manager, opera singer, and Maria Callas enthusiast, Georgios Davlas, who enchanted the audience not only with his presentation but also with his performances during the opera concert that followed.

The honorary Ambassador for this year’s event was the impressive Greek lawyer Theodora Michaloliakou, who awarded young classical artists from around the world who competed and stood out with their talent on the stage of the historic Salle Garnier at the iconic Opera of Monte Carlo.

During the two-day event, gourmet dinners of high standards were held at the famous meeting point and landmark of the Principality, Café De Paris, while the following official day of the event, April 25, featured the Maria Callas Opera Gala at the historic Salle Garnier Opera in Monte Carlo, honoring the great opera diva Maria Callas with historic awards to major artistic stars and individuals who distinguished themselves for their charitable work, as well as for their contributions to protecting the planet.

The first honoree at this year’s Maria Callas Monaco Awards was the world-renowned singer Shirley Bassey, who captivated the audience with her dazzling presence and emotionally moving words, truly touching the packed audience of the Monte Carlo Opera.

Other awardees included the famous singer Placido Domingo Jr., son of the renowned tenor, Princess Olimpia Colonna Di Paliano of Rome, who impressed the audience with her rare presence, John Christodoulou, well-known in Monegasque circles for his significant charitable work, the global charitable organization AMADE, founded in 1963 by the late Princess Grace of Monaco, the famous pioneer-researcher and ardent supporter of marine life protection, Fabien Cousteau, grandson of the late Jacques Yves Cousteau, who was also the founder of the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco, along with maritime innovators Nicolas Sarrut and Greek national Vasiliki Grigoratou.

The evening concluded with an opera concert featuring Placido Domingo Jr., Victoria Bulieieva, Georgios Davlas, Elena Kelesidi, Simone Piazzola, Greta Cipriani, and Giuseppe Vaccaro. A surprise of this historic night was the spectacular presentation of artificial intelligence bringing Maria Callas to life, leaving the audience truly speechless!