Angelina Jolie's acting role in the Maria Callas biopic also includes her showing off her operatic singing skills, the actress disclosed.
In the world of cinema, anticipation is building for Pablo Larraín's upcoming biopic, Maria, a film that brings to life the extraordinary story of opera star Maria Callas. The film, set to premiere at the prestigious Venice Film Festival on 29 August 2024, will grace the screens of cinemas across the UK and Ireland on 10 January 2025.
Starring as the legendary opera diva is none other than Angelina Jolie. Jolie, who has taken on a diverse range of roles in her illustrious career, has prepared extensively for this challenging role, spending nearly seven months undergoing vocal and physical training to authentically portray Callas singing opera.
Jolie's singing in the film is genuine and distinctive, blended with Maria Callas' original recordings rather than completely replaced or lip-synched. This innovative approach ensures that the film captures the operatic precision of Callas' performances, while also showcasing Jolie's own vocal prowess.
For the filming, only Jolie's live singing was heard by the cast and crew. Afterwards, her voice was mixed with Callas' real vocal tracks for the final film audio. This means that Jolie's vocals are a significant component, but the film features a combination of both voices to create a harmonious blend.
When the audience hears Maria Callas at the end of her life in the film, it is mostly Jolie's own voice they will be listening to. The biopic features a mix of Jolie's voice with Callas' recordings, with 95% of the singing being from the soprano's original recordings.
Director Pablo Larraín explained that this approach was essential to honour Callas' legacy while also allowing Jolie to shine. Larraín, who assisted Jolie by starting with a small, trusted crew and gradually increasing the size of the crew, culminating at La Scala, expressed his confidence in Jolie's ability to portray Callas.
Jolie's first public singing experience was filled with nervousness, with her sons present to help lock the door. However, she rose to the occasion, delivering a powerful performance at Milan's La Scala, which will be featured in the film.
Larraín stated that Callas was often referred to as a diva, a term he believes should not be negative. He added that any diva who is great at what they do cannot be considered negative. Callas, one of the greatest opera stars of all time, was known for her demanding nature during rehearsals, often leaving if any other singers missed a word.
Angelina Jolie expressed her concern about honoring Callas' legacy and doing right by her fans in taking on the film. She acknowledged the responsibility that comes with portraying such an iconic figure and is committed to delivering a performance that does justice to Callas' memory.
With its innovative approach to blending Jolie's vocals with Callas' recordings, Maria promises to be a captivating biopic that pays tribute to one of the greatest opera stars of all time while showcasing Angelina Jolie's acting and singing talents.
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