NEWS

Stolen Callas dress is returned by post

The thief who stole a silk dress worn by opera singer Maria Callas from the Italian Cultural Institute in Athens almost two weeks ago has returned the robe by post. The institute’s director Melita Palestini told Kathimerini yesterday that a package containing the dress, valued at 100,000 euros, arrived at the center on Friday. «I recognized the material as soon as I opened the package,» Palestini said. «I did not touch it and immediately called the police.» Palestini said the dress, which was taken away by officers for examination, appeared a little crumpled but not damaged. The robe was worn by Callas at a performance at the Herod Atticus Theater in August 1957 and was part of a collection put on display at the institute to mark the 30th anniversary of the diva’s death. Palestini said that an ardent admirer of the opera singer probably stole the dress.

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