In a candid interview with Classic FM, Angelina Jolie revealed how learning to sing for her portrayal of opera legend Maria Callas in the upcoming biopic Maria was a deeply transformative experience. The Hollywood star, known for her iconic roles in action films and dramas, said the vocal training and immersion in opera had a profound impact on her both personally and professionally. For months, Jolie worked tirelessly with singing coaches, Italian language instructors, and opera experts to prepare for her role as the famed soprano during the final years of her life in Paris.
Jolie admitted that before taking on the role, she had never sung in public, and the process of vocal training opened up emotional pathways she hadn’t anticipated. “It’s very freeing,” she explained, emphasizing how confronting the deep emotions and physicality of opera helped her release personal barriers. “I think we don’t realise how much our voice, how much our body holds,” she continued. “Whatever we’ve been through in life, whatever we fear, whatever it is we hold – whether we know it or not, it affects our sound.”
Her transformation, both vocal and emotional, was evident as she played Callas, a figure known for both her unparalleled musical talent and complex personal life. Jolie described the experience of singing opera as a gift and encouraged others to try it, stating, “I’m encouraging everyone. Everybody should do it.” She also reflected on how Callas viewed opera not just as an elitist art form but as something meant to connect with everyone, a philosophy the film seeks to embody.
The film’s director, Pablo Larraín, echoed this sentiment, aiming to break the elitist stigma surrounding opera and bring its beauty to a wider audience. The biopic culminates in a dramatic and emotional re-creation of Callas’ final performance, which also marked the end of Jolie’s intense, immersive portrayal of the legendary diva.
