MILAN, Italy – La Scala opera house is marking the 30th anniversary of the death of Maria Callas with a book, exhibits and daylong screening of a film on her life.

Callas, famed for her lyric soprano and fiery temperament, died in Paris on Sept. 16, 1977, at 53.

La Scala said in a statement Thursday it was paying special homage to Callas because her career was so inextricably linked to the Milan opera house.

Callas made her debut at La Scala in December 1951 with “I Vespri Siciliani.” Over the years, she performed in several productions mounted especially for her.

La Scala will show three free screenings of the film “Callas” by Philippe Kohly on Sept. 16.

An exhibit of offstage photographs will run through November, and costumes worn onstage by Callas will be on view through January.

The opera house said it was preparing a coffee-table book, “Maria Callas _ the La Scala Years,” that will document the “10 unforgettable seasons that changed the course of opera.”

La Scala:

http://www.teatroallascala.org/

Maria Callas:

http://www.callas.it/

A service of the Associated Press(AP)