People who watch Maria, the story of the famous opera singer Maria Callas, are taken to the last days of her life. Pablo Larrañn directed the movie, follows Callas as she tries to get back in touch with her true self and her voice by letting go of what other people expect of her. It shows how deeply emotional Callas’s life was. She is remembered not only for her amazing talent, but also for the things she gave up to please everyone else but herself. Angelina Jolie brings the opera legend to life as Callas tries to figure out who she is again. But there is still one important question: did Jolie really sing in the movie? If so, is that her real voice we hear?
Angelina Jolie’s Transformation into Maria Callas
Jolie had to go through a big change in both her body and her emotions in order to play Maria Callas, one of the most famous opera singers in history. Since Jolie is mostly known for her acting, she had to learn how to sing opera in order to play Callas convincingly. Larraín says it was very important for Jolie to work on her voice and really get into Callas’ opera style, which is not easy to do. “If you don’t sing opera, I’ll know when we’re close to your face because that’s who she is,” Larraín told Jolie as they were getting ready for the movie.
Jolie started her training by learning the basics, like how to breathe, stand, and move correctly. She also had to learn how to sing in Italian—a very difficult language. She worked with opera coaches for months to improve her technique and learn all the little details of opera singing. It’s not enough to just hit the right notes in opera; you have to use your body and soul to show real emotion, which meant Jolie had to dig deep inside herself. “Opera singing led me to places inside of me that I didn’t know I was ready to confront,” she said.
The Voice Mix: Callas and Jolie
It was impressive how hard Jolie worked to learn opera, but the movie Maria relies on both her voice and old recordings of Maria Callas. This smart use of both singers’ skills lets the movie stay true to Callas’s famous sound while also showing off Jolie’s vocal improvement. Larraín said that Jolie’s voice was carefully mixed with Callas’s during the film’s production in a—number of ways. There are scenes where Callas’s voice shines, and scenes where Jolie’s voice steals the show.
The director said that both Callas and Jolie’s voices are mixed together in a layered sound design. For the moments when Callas is portrayed at the height of her career, most of the vocal work comes from archival recordings. But as Callas struggles with her identity in the final act of her life, it’s Jolie’s voice that stands front and center. It’s important to Larraín that there is never just one voice heard. When they work together, they make a complex performance that connects the past and the present.
A Scary Challenge for Jolie
It’s very scary to sing opera on film, especially when you have to do it in front of a lot of people. Jolie had to sing each aria live on set, in front of as many as a hundred extras at times. The actress admitted that the thought of singing in public for the first time scared her at first. Larraín, on the other hand, eased her into it by slowly growing her audience. Before singing in front of a full audience of extras, she practiced in a controlled setting with a small crew. This helped her feel less stressed.
In every scene, Jolie’s determination to give a real performance is clear. She worked very hard to show how each aria made her feel, which is an important part of opera. Jolie told her, “You have to give every part of yourself.” “When opera singers talk about pain, it’s not just a little bit; it’s the deepest level.” You need to give it everything you have ” This dedication to the emotional depth of opera was what helped Jolie connect with Callas’ character and give a powerful performance.
Jolie’s voice takes center stage in the last act.
In the last part of the movie, Jolie’s singing skills are really tested. These scenes are very important because they show Callas’s artistic and emotional journey as she tries to find her voice again after years of singing for other people. During these parts, Jolie’s voice is more prominent, while Callas’ original recordings are less important. She worked on these opera performances for months, singing works by Verdi and Puccini, such as “Ave Maria” and “O Mio Babbino Caro.”
Since the movie is about a character’s emotional and artistic rebirth, it makes sense that Jolie’s voice would be used to show how Callas changes. Putting the voices together is a metaphor for how the past and the present are mixed together as she finds herself as a woman and as a singer. It’s a complex and layered approach that showcases both the power of Callas’ legacy and the emotional depth Jolie brings to her portrayal.
The Real Maria Callas: No One Else Can Sing Like Her
Even though Jolie worked very hard to learn opera and give a performance that lived up to Callas’s reputation, no one can really sing like Maria Callas. Callas is one of the best opera singers who has ever lived, and no one can sing like her. To be honest, Jolie said, “Nobody expects you to sing Maria Callas because nobody in the world can sing Maria Callas.” However, Jolie honors the opera legend by combining recordings of Callas with her own voice, while still giving a powerful performance as an actress.
The movie doesn’t hide the problems Callas had in her last years, and it doesn’t ask viewers to feel sorry for her. Instead, Maria paints a personal picture of a woman who is coming to terms with who she is, her art, and her own voice. During this emotional journey, Jolie’s training and love for opera really shine through—making her role as Maria Callas powerful and moving.
Angelina Jolie sings in Maria, but it’s not just her voice that stands out. By putting together her own singing with classic recordings of Maria Callas—Jolie captures the essence of a famous singer while also showing how deeply she feels. The movie isn’t just about singing; it’s about finding your voice. Angelina Jolie gives an amazing performance as Maria because she is dedicated to her role and trains her voice. She is very good at playing that character, and she is also very good at playing that character.
For more detailed recaps and TV insights, visit otavo.tv.
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