Still, Maria is a marvel to look at, unfolding in a Paris lit by pale September sun. It is 1977, and La Callas is a recluse, long gone from Covent Garden but never quite ruling out a comeback. Pills are popped. The butler frets.

Angelina Jolie has reflected on how she connected to Maria Callas and the "loneliness" that the iconic singer would have felt.

Angelina Jolie steps into the shoes of opera legend Maria Callas in the new biopic Maria, directed by Pablo Larraín. The first trailer reveals Jolie’s emotional portrayal, showcasing her transformation into the famous soprano.

She’s the jewel, and I had to create the jewelry box.” The “jewel” for “Maria” production designer Guy Hendrix Dyas was Angelina Jolie who embodies the famed opera soprano Maria Callas in “Maria,” now streaming on Netflix.

Angelina Jolie discussed Hollywood challenges and balancing artistry at the 36th Palm Springs Film Festival on Jan 3. Speaking with Variety’s Clayton Davis, the Oscar-winning actress described Hollywood as “sometimes not a healthy business” and emphasized the importance of living a full life beyond one’s career.

As Bono once commented about Luciano Pavarotti, “the opera follows him off stage”. Legendary soprano Maria Callas would have known exactly what he meant, and she herself said “an opera begins long before the curtain goes up and ends long after it has come down.