Angelina Jolie reveals she nearly passed out while training for opera during filming of 'Maria'

Angelina Jolie recently opened up about the intense challenges she faced while preparing for her role as iconic opera singer Maria Callas in 'Maria'
UPDATED DEC 22, 2024
Angelina Jolie recently shared the physical strain opera training had on her during the filming of 'Maria' (James Devaney/GC Images)
Angelina Jolie recently shared the physical strain opera training had on her during the filming of 'Maria' (James Devaney/GC Images)

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.


NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 13: Angelina Jolie arrives to screening of 'Maria' at The Paris Theatre on November 13, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by James Devaney/GC Images)
Angelina Jolie arrives for the screening of 'Maria' at The Paris Theatre on November 13, 2024, in New York City (James Devaney/GC Images)

"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.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 13: Angelina Jolie arrives to screening of 'Maria' at The Paris Theatre on November 13, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by James Devaney/GC Images)
Angelina Jolie arrives for the screening of 'Maria' at The Paris Theatre on November 13, 2024, in New York City (James Devaney/GC Images)

“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. 

Angelina Jolie speaks on stage at a special screening of
Angelina Jolie speaks on stage at a special screening of 'Maria' at The Ham Yard Hotel on December 14, 2024, in London, England (Hoda Davaine/Dave Benett/Getty Images for Netflix)

'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?'"

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