WARNING: SPOILERS ahead for Maria.
Netflix’s 2024 biopicMariafeatures several original recordings by Maria Callas, some of which are performed by Academy Award-winner Angelina Jolie.Jolie, best known for her roles in filmssuch asMaleficent,Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, andGirl, Interrupted,returns in her first feature film since Marvel’s 2021 action blockbusterEternals.Mariawas released in select theaters afterpremiering at the 81st Venice Film Festivalin August 2024.
Mariadepicts thefinal days in the life of Maria Callas,who was once considered the greatest opera singer in the world. The film takes place in 1970s Paris as Maria’s health declines. Jolie leadsMaria’scastas the titular protagonist who sees the world through a hallucinogenic and fading lens with her loyal butler, Ferruccio, and her supportive maid, Bruna.Mariais directed byChilean director Pablo Larraín ofSpencer(2021) andJackie(2016) acclaim.
Angelina Jolie’s Voice Is Mixed With Recordings Of Maria Callas Throughout Maria
The film features several original Callas recordings
Angelina Jolie sings inMaria. However, when Callas is in her prime in the movie, the recording is primarily of Callas herself. Songs that appear in the film, such as “Ave Maria” from Verdi’sOtello, “E che? Io son Medea” by Cherubini, “Qui la voce sua soave” from Bellini’sI Puritani, and the climactic “Vissi d’arte” from Puccini’sTosca, are recordings of Callas.When Callas is older in the movie, it’s mostly Jolie singingwith Callas' recordings mixed and blended in.
Maria Soundtrack Guide: Every Song & When They Play In Netflix’s 2024 Biopic
Netflix’s 2024 biopic Maria features many classical orchestrations and select opera pieces sung by Maria Callas and performed by Angelina Jolie.
Many of the final renditions inMaria’ssoundtrack were achieved byblending Jolie’s voice with Callas’s recordings in post-production. Larraín toldIndieWire, “Sometimes you hear 1 percent of Angelina’s voice, sometimes it’s 5 percent, sometimes it’s forty percent, in a couple of times, not very often, but it does happen, you listen to sixty percent or seventy percent of Angelina’s voice.” He explained, “To make it believable, Angelina had to sing out loud in front of her crew and hundreds of extras in order to make it possible. Without that, none of this could happen.”
Callas’s recordings were essential but Jolie’s singing was pragmatic for production
Actress Angelina Jolie as Maria Callas in Pablo Larrain’s biopic, Maria.
In another interview withVanity Fair,Larraín notes that he thought it was crucial to include Callas' own voice in her biopicwhile still having the actress playing her singing. He says, “How can you make a movie about Maria Callas without using her voice? You can’t.” He also points out, “You can’t make a movie like this with an actress that is not actually singing it.” While the most devout audiophiles and Callas fans may spot the intricate vocal differences, Larraín successfully combined the two elements to create a seamless blend that is very convincing inMaria.
Maria
Cast
Maria(2024) is a biographical drama about opera singer Maria Callas, directed by Pablo Larraín, starring Angelina Jolie. It concludes Larraín’s trilogy on iconic women.
