This was a big costume party being held at the Waldorf Astoria in January, 1957. Callas appeared as an ancient Egyptian queen. Maxwell appeared as Catharine the Great. Yes, Maxwell was a lesbian, and Callas knew it. She confided to her closest friends that she was afraid to be left in the same room with her. A year later, Callas told Maxwell that she didn't swing "that way. Maxwell was saddened, but she never hit on Callas again. In fact, they ended their association shortly thereafter.

what was happening at the waldorf?

@Zva26 Actually, from the look of the costume, I think poor Elsa Maxwell fancies herself as Elizabeth I. With Callas looking a zillion dollars Maxwell might have been wiser to sit it out.

La cage aux folles