In the beginning of the play, Maria enters the house with costly clothes and bars the audience from having an ovation because people are there to work. After addressing the people about music as a subject, Maria narrates her experiences of walking to the conservatoire during the Second World War barefooted. Maria then orders for the light to be put off and instructs Manny, the accompanist, to ensure the characteristic appearance of actors. The performance kicks off with Sophie de Palma coming on stage to sing. As Sophie is performing, Maria occasionally interrupts her, showing her how to better her performance.
Nevertheless, it is during the performance of Maria Callas’ song when Maria reminisces her affair with Aristotle Onassis, a wealthy Greek entrepreneur. Another student is brought to sing to the applause of the audience. Next to sing is a student called Sharon Graham. However, Maria condemns her gown, making the student vanish from the stage. Sharon reappears again to perform after the performance of a student called Anthony Candolino. During this performance, Maria reminisces her husband, Battista Meneghini. At this point, she hurts her husband’s feelings by declaring that she would be married by Onassis.
When Sharon finishes performing, Maria rebukes the way she is performing, calling for her improvement. Sharon feels irritated and tells Maria that she is jealous of the way young people are singing. Finally, Maria refutes to have been harsh on anybody and leaves the room. The book’s primary emphasis is the art of professional singing. The author shows that people need to invest their feelings in music if they want to succeed.
