Film actress Nuria Espert will star as opera diva Maria Callas in a Spanish translation of Terrence McNally's Tony Award -winning play, Master Class. Master Class premieres March 20 in Madrid's Teatro Marquina, which has been undergoing renoavations for nearly two years.

Master Class is based on the lessons given by opera diva Maria Callas in New York's Juillard School of Music after she retired from the stage. In these lessons, the diva, who died in Paris at the age of 54, insults and inspires her students, shares her misfortunes and criticizes her colleagues. Master Class is directed by Mario Gas, who recently directed Sweeney Todd in Madrid and Golfus of Rome in Barcelona.

Espert temporarily left her own theater company to star in Master Class. Muntsa Rius (Tobias in Sweeney Todd and Maria in West Side Story) and Noelia Perez play the sopranos. Jose A. Perez plays the tenor and Jose Otero plays the piano player Manny.

Spanish translation is by Fernando Masllorens and Federico del Pino.

Master Class runs at Teatro Marquina, 11 Prim Street, Madrid. Tickets are avalaible at "El Corte Ingles" centres and: +34 02 400 222.