Angelina Jolie reveals she nearly passed out while training for opera during filming of 'Maria'
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Angelina Jolie has candidly opened up about the intense challenges she faced while preparing for her role as the legendary opera singer Maria Callas in the biographical film 'Maria'.
In a recent interview with Empire, the Academy Award-winning actress shared the physical and emotional difficulties she encountered during her training, revealing that she nearly passed out at times while learning the art of opera singing.
Angelina Jolie opens up about physical challenges of opera training
The 49-year-old Hollywood A-lister, known for her diverse career, delved into the unexpected world of opera for her portrayal of the iconic singer. Jolie, who is already an accomplished actress and director, admitted that stepping into the world of opera was no easy feat.
"I am now a huge fan of opera – I listen to it more than most other kinds of music,” she began, describing how she developed a newfound appreciation for the genre. “I started singing classes and Italian classes, but when I switched to opera classes it was a whole other universe, and it required something very different.”
Training for 'Maria' involved mastering the challenging art of opera singing, which pushed Jolie’s physical limits. She explained that the process was far more strenuous than she initially expected.
“The first time I really sang, for the first few classes, I nearly passed out every time. I couldn't quite get my breathwork. I think that's why it takes a lifetime of training to really do it," she said, according to Yahoo! Movies.
Angelina Jolie explains how 'Maria' connects opera with audiences
Reflecting on the film's approach to opera, Angelina Jolie mentioned how the film allows audiences, whether they are opera enthusiasts or not, to connect with the music.
"Something really cool about the film is that if you don't know opera, you can go through the entire journey of the film and understand it. If you do know opera, you understand why certain pieces of music and certain arias come at certain times. It adds many extra layers,” she explained.
'Maria', which was released in cinemas on November 27, 2024, chronicles the life of the renowned Greek-American opera singer Maria Callas and her struggles, triumphs, and personal sacrifices.
In her closing remarks, Jolie shared a thought that encapsulated the essence of her artistic journey, “That's an artist's life, to say, 'What were all these different world that I walked in, and how did these worlds color my life and change my perception?'"
