-->
  • Most Respected Classical Music Platform
  • #classicalForever
BREAKING
Kennedy Center President Deborah F. Rutter to Step Down
TOP

Angelina Jolie Stars as Maria Callas in New Pablo Larraín Biopic "Maria"

"Maria" recently had its debut at the Venice Film Festival, and the rights have been acquired by Netflix

 

Pablo Larraín's new biopic of the opera singer Maria Callas recently had its debut at the Venice Film Festival — where it received a 10-minute ovation. The film stars Angelina Jolie in the title role and covers the isolated final week of Callas's life — during which she had only her butler and housemaid to nurse her.

The film's script is by Oscar nominee Steven Knight (Spencer), while Juan de Dios Larraín, Lorenzo Mieli, and Jonas Dornbach were the producers.

Prior to taking on the role, Jolie had never sung in public before, and trained for seven months in order to prepare for the film. The singing heard in the final cut is a digital blend of Jolie and Callas herself, with different proportions of each individual depending on what the scene required.

Larraín said it was necessary for Jolie to undertake specialist training for the role since opera singing requires specific posture, breathing, and color.

Born Maria Kalogeropoulos to Greek parents in New York, Maria Callas was considered one of the greatest singers of all time — but she was also subject to immense scrutiny, over matters such as her weight, manner, and choice of partners.

"I felt such a privilege to feel like I got to know this woman and got to be inside her skin a moment," Jolie said following the premiere. "I really care for her deeply. I think I’ll carry that like a friend."

"I think the way I related to her was probably the part of her that is extremely soft and doesn’t have room in the world to be as soft as she was, as emotionally open as she truly was…I share her vulnerability more than anything."

According to Larraín, Callas was "the greatest voice in history who had a very beautiful and difficult life."

"Of course, this movie wouldn’t exist without Angelina," he added.

You can view a clip from the film below.

 

upcoming events

february 2025

07febAll Day17International "Franz Schubert and Modern Music” Chamber Music Competition(All Day) Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst Graz, Leonhardstraße 15, A-8010 GrazEvent Type :competitions Event TagsInternational "Franz Schubert and Modern Music” Piano Trio Competition

14febAll Day22Jascha Heifetz International Violin Competition(All Day) Lithuanian National Philharmonic Hall, Aušros Vartų g. 5 Vilnius, LithuaniaEvent Type :competitions Event TagsInternational Jascha Heifetz Competition for Violinists

16febAll DayChicago National Chamber Music Competition(All Day: sunday) Ravinia’s Bennett Gordon Hall, 201 St Johns Ave, Highland Park, IL 60035, United StatesEvent Type :competitions Event Tagschamber music,competition

march 2025

15marAll DayMusic Teachers National Association (MTNA) National Conference(All Day: saturday) Hilton Minneapolis, 1001 Marquette Ave. Event Type :conferences & tradeshows Event Tagschamber music,Chamber Music America,Conferences,Music Teachers National Association National Conference

18marAll DayJohansen International String Competition(All Day: tuesday) Calvary Baptist Church, 755 8th Street, NW, Washington, DCEvent Type :competitions

19marAll DayAmerican String Teachers Association (ASTA) National Conference(All Day: wednesday) HYATT REGENCY ATLANTA, 265 Peachtree St Event Type :conferences & tradeshows Event TagsAmerican String Teachers Association,American String Teachers Association National Conference,ASTA,conference

CONTACT US
x

Get ALL our latest conveniently by EMAIL

Our newsletter is trusted by over 100,000+ industry professionals around the world

We deliver news straight to your inbox and will never share your data.
You'll never miss a beat!

click left click right