First look at ‘Maria’ biopic as Angelina Jolie becomes legendary opera star Maria Callas

First look at ‘Maria’ biopic as Angelina Jolie as legendary opera star Maria Callas. Picture: Pablo Larraín

By Maddy Shaw Roberts

The Hollywood actor is transformed into ‘La Divina’, for the upcoming biopic about 20th-century opera diva Maria Callas. 

The first glimpses of Maria, a new film set during Maria Callas’ final days in 1970s Paris, were revealed on Monday.

Angelina Jolie will play the American-born, Greek soprano in a biopic about the “tumultuous, beautiful and tragic story of the life of the world’s greatest opera singer, relived and reimagined during her final days in 1970s Paris”, according to a press release.

Director Pablo Larraín praised Jolie’s “extraordinary preparation” for the role.

Two photos of the actor as ‘La Divina’ have been published. In one, Jolie is opera’s most famous diva, wearing a wide-brimmed lace hat – in the other, she is holding a pair of large, round spectacles to her face.

Larraín said in a statement, “I am incredibly excited to start production on Maria, which I hope will bring Maria Callas’ remarkable life and work to audiences all around the world, thanks to the magnificent script by Steven Knight, the work of the entire cast and crew, and especially, Angelina’s brilliant work and extraordinary preparation.”  Larraín previously directed Jackie, a biopic about Jackie Kennedy who was caught in a tragic love triangle with Callas. The screenplay for Maria is by Steven Knight, who penned the hit UK series Peaky Blinders. Knight also worked with Larraín on the 2021 biopic Spencer starring Kristen Stewart.

Jolie told The Hollywood Reporter in 2022: “I take very seriously the responsibility to Maria’s life and legacy. I will give all I can to meet the challenge.

“Pablo Larraín is a director I have long admired. To be allowed the chance to tell more of Maria’s story with him, and with a script by Steven Knight, is a dream.”

Angelina Jolie stars as opera diva Maria Callas in 'Maria' biopic. Picture: Pablo Larraín

The independent production has signed to a SAG-AFTRA interim agreement allowing it to begin shooting now, over eight weeks in Paris, Greece, Budapest and Milan. It will feature original garments worn by Callas, according to a press release.

Alongside Jolie, the cast includes Pierfrancesco Favino, Alba Rohrwacher, Haluk Bilginer, Kodi Smit-McPhee (Elvis) and Valeria Golino (Portrait of a Lady on Fire).

Callas is one of the most celebrated operatic figures in music history. With a range of three octaves, Callas was widely hailed for her bel canto singing, and for her Verdi and Puccini interpretations.

She spent her final years living in isolation in Paris and died of a heart attack aged 53.

GLORIA IN EXCELSIS DEO. Antonio Vivaldi

18,467,723 views Jul 16, 2013 #TheBestOfVocesparalaPaz #vocesparalapaz #ChristmasMusicVocesparalaPaz

Gloria in excelsis Deo. Antonio Vivaldi. Director: Antonio Fauró Orquesta y Coro de "Voces para la Paz" (Músicos Solidarios). Año 2013 Auditorio Nacional de Música de Madrid Proyectos: Escuela para 200 niñas en Uganda y Recogida de alimentos para familias necesitas en España. “Voces para la Paz” (Músicos Solidarios) es una asociación de ayuda humanitaria compuesta por músicos que ofrecen conciertos y utilizan su música para recaudar fondos que permitan realizar proyectos que auxilien y protejan a los más necesitados de todo el mundo. Gracias a su música se han construido carreras, puentes, escuelas, bibliotecas, dispensarios sanitarios, orfanatos, pozos de agua, sistemas de regadío, etc. en países de África, Asía y América Latina. Visitar http://www.vocesparalapaz.com “Voces para la Paz” La Fuerza de la Música por un Mundo más Justo. ..................................................................................................... “Voices for Peace” (Musicians in Solidarity) is a humanitarian aid association made up of musicians from the main orchestras and choirs in Spain, who offer concerts to raise funds to carry out projects that help and protect the most needy around the world. Thanks to their music, careers, bridges, schools,libraries, health clinics, orphanages, water wells, irrigation systems, etc, have been built in countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America. ......................................................................................................... "Voix pour la Paix" (Musiciens Solidaires) est une association d'aide humanitaire composée de musiciens des principaux orchestres et chorales d'Espagne, qui proposent des concerts pour collecter des fonds afin de réaliser des projets qui aident et protègent les plus nécessiteux du monde. Grâce à leur musique, des routes, des ponts, des écoles, des bibliothèques, des centres de santé, des orphelinats, des puits d'eau, des systèmes d'irrigation, etc. ont été construits dans les pays d'Afrique, d'Asie et d'Amérique latine. "Voix pour la Paix" La force de la musique pour un monde plus juste.

The winner takes it all - At Vance (Pride and prejudice)

The Best Christmas Song I've Ever Heard. It Will Give You Chills.

58,403,963 views Dec 18, 2014

Website: https://www.skylight.org Over A Thousand People Came Together To Break a Record And Bring This Moving Christmas Hymn To Life. The Piano Guys, Peter Hollens, David Archuleta, and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir get together to sing "Angels We Have Heard On High." For more spiritual wellness content: Skylight uses spiritually healing practices found in many world religions to help you grow your spiritual receptiveness, resilience, and strength. Whether you're non-religious, sort of religious, or totally into religion, we believe Skylight can help your spirit thrive. Think of us as the gateway to spiritual fitness through guided, God-centered meditation.

Mireille Mathieu AMBASSADOR OF LA CHANSON FRANÇAISE

Since the beginning of her artistic career in 1967, Mireille Mathieu has recorded over 1200 songs in 11 languages, sold more than 122 million albums, and over 50 million singles worldwide.

She has duetted with Charles Aznavour, Barry Manilow, Paul Anka, Placido Domingo, Julio Iglesias, Dean Martin, and many other renowned artists. She has toured all continents and major concert halls and is still enchanting audiences wherever she performs.

Her setlist includes such famous songs as “Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien”, Nos Souvenirs”, “Pardonne Moi Ce Caprice d’Enfant”, “Paris en Colere”, “Mon Credo”, “Acropolis Adieu”, “Bravo, Tu as Gagne”, “Une Vie d’Amour” – just a few to mention.

With a 60-year of artistic career, Mireille Mathieu remains one of the most eminent icons of la chanson française.

Mireille Mathieu - Non, Je Ne Regrette Pas Rien

Chopin - Nocturne op.9 No.2

230,603,812 views Jun 19, 2013 #nocturne #chopin #classicalmusic

Nocturne in E-flat major, Op. 9, No. 2 Played by Vadim Chaimovich (   / vadimchaimovich  ) FB-Vadim: https://www.facebook.com/vadimchaimovich ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Instagram Andrea Romano https://www.instagram.com/andrearoman... Vincent van Gogh painted The Starry Night one year before dying. Chopin composed his popular Nocturne when he was about twenty. it does not matter if you think that it is too late for you or that you still have a lot of time...you have to decide whether you are Chopin or van Gogh. The idea behind these videos is coming from a research published by the Psychology Department of Berkeley University studying the relation between colors, emotions and how external stimuli are impacting decision making. The study results demonstrate a strong correlation between faster music in minor tone and the choice from participants of colors from that were saturated, yellower and lighter whereas a slower and minor music produced the opposite pattern (choice of desaturated, darker and bluer colors). Based on these findings, we wanted to create synesthesia in our videos and trigger more intense and long-lasting emotions in our viewers, get higher audience retention and interaction. We decided to do that by associating drawings from the major painters that were following the scientific findings of this research. The choice of these paintings and the consecutive association with the music is also based on an accurate work that requires significant time and energy. The analysis of the melodies returned to us a lot of information on how the painting should have been made. We needed a simple blue pattern but with an intrinsic meaning. Something that people could watch for a while without really understand it. By creating this video I tried to do only one thing which turned to be the most difficult one: make you feel an emotional synesthesia. When hearing the melody, don't you feel that everything is...blue? aren’t you lost in the sky? is your mind going over? It’s not for no reason. it is not only an image, it is not only a melody. It is a trip. You don't feel bored. Its your mind using the notes and the colors to create your own experience. Most of the videos online with only one image are only music, but not this. The research behind the perfect combination is the key for the unconscious.

Tchaikovsky: El lago de los cisnes - Swan Lake - Rizzo - Orquesta Joven ...

6,067,669 views Nov 2, 2013

Piotr Ilich Chaikovski: El lago de los cisnes (selección) Orquesta Joven de la Sinfónica de Galicia Pietro Rizzo, director Grabación realizada el 28 de agosto de 2013 en la Plaza de María Pita de A Coruña - Galicia

Gloria Gaynor reacts after Madonna performed the classic 70s song 'I Will Survive' at opening of Celebration Tour

 BY ROBERT REQUINTINA

Oct 17, 2023 11:37 AM

  

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AT A GLANCE

• Madonna credited her childrenLourdes, 27; Rocco, 23; David, 18; Mercy, 17; and twins Stella and Estere, 11, for giving her the strength to move on.

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Madonna (Facebook)

Madonna surprised fans when she covered an acoustic version of the classic disco song "I Will Survive" at the opening night of her Celebration Tour in London last Saturday.

The Queen of Pop talked about her health scare before introducing the popular disco song that went to No. 1 in the US in 1979.

“I forgot five years of my life or my death — I don’t really know where I was. But the angels were protecting me, and my children were there. And my children always save me every time. If you want to know my secret and you want to know how I pulled through and survived, I thought, ‘I have to be there for my children. I have to survive for them," said Madonna, onstage at the 02 Arena, in an article by billboard.com. 

 

 

Madonna, 65, credited her children Lourdes, 27; Rocco, 23; David, 18; Mercy, 17; and twins Stella and Estere, 11, for giving her the strength to move on.

Reacting to Madonna's performance, Gloria said: "“@Madonna congratulations on the launch of #TheCelebrationTour at @TheO2. So happy that you are in good health and ready to have a holiday with fans around the world! By the way, you have excellent taste in music!” 

Gloria shared via X on Sunday, alongside a video of Madonna’s cover. In June, Madonna was hospitalized due to a bacterial infection that led her to postpone her world tour.

Leonard Cohen - A Thousand Kisses Deep

Leonard Cohen - A Thousand Kisses Deep This is not an official video Scenes and images by web Edited by theistrione & fairydiamond1(alias rosanelvento000)   / rosanelvento000   "Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use."

Hugo Wolf: Italian Serenade

Francois Leleux, conductor Norwegian Chamber Orchestra

Air Supply - "Lost In Love" (Official Video)

It's Been a Long, Long Time

40,076,316 views Dec 21, 2015

Provided to YouTube by The Orchard Enterprises It's Been a Long, Long Time · Kitty Kallen · The Harry James Orchestra The Kitty Kallen Collection 1939-62

Doris Day - It's Magic

Happy Birthday Doris - Thank you for the magic ! Doris recorded this version of "It's Magic" in 1952. Jule Styne - Sammy Cohn - It's Magic Percy Faith - leader David Kelin - contractor George Van Eps - guitar John H Ryan - bass Louis Singer - drums Edwin 'Buddy' Cole - piano Morris Bercov, Alex Gershunoff, Leonard Hartman, Theodore M Nash, Wilbur Schwartz - saxophone Harold diner, Edward K Kusby, William Schaefer - trombone Ziggy Elman, George Seaberg,Rubin Zarchy - trumpet Armand Kaproff - cello Alvin Dinkin, Paul Robyn - viola Harry Bluestone, Daniel Lube, Muscha Russell, Gerald Vinci, Samuel Cytron, David Frisna, Jacques Gasselin, George Kast, Murray Kellner - violin Recorded at Radio Recorders, 1032 Sycamore St., Hollywood, CA.

Max Reger - Violin Concerto in A-major, Op.101 (1908)

Johann Baptist Joseph Maximilian Reger (19 March 1873 -- 11 May 1916) was a German composer, conductor, pianist, organist, and academic teacher. Work: Violin Concerto in A-major, Op.101 (1908) Mov.I: Allegro moderato 00:00 Mov.II: Largo con gran espressione 27:07 Mov.III: Allegro moderato (ma con spirito) 40:03 Violinist: Benjamin Schmid Orchestra: Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra Conductor: Hannu Lintu