Maria Callas (1923-1977) is revered as one of the preeminent sopranos of the 20th century, celebrated for her exceptional performances in notable operas such as Medea, Tosca, and La Traviata. Her impact on the world of opera was so profound that TIME magazine honored her by featuring her on the cover of its October 29, 1956, issue, dubbing her “the undisputed queen of the world’s opera.”
However, the new Netflix biopic titled Maria, starring Angelina Jolie as Callas, shifts the narrative focus away from the heights of her illustrious career to the profound struggles she faced in the twilight of her life. Set during the final week of her life in Paris, the film portrays Callas as reflective and tormented, battling a sense of hopelessness.
Unlike the glamorous image often associated with Callas, the film presents a more somber view of the artist, exploring her mental health challenges and personal turmoil. Callas, who was known for her assertive personality, often made bold remarks about her desire for adoration, stating, “I come to restaurants to be adored.” Yet, behind this bravado lay deep struggles, including a painful trajectory marked by addiction and emotional despair.
Throughout the film, the narrative reveals Callas’s hallucinations and her dependence on Mandrax, an addictive sedative. Her mental health deteriorated as she faced the physical inability to command her voice due to possible neurological issues, leading to a sense of loss that overwhelmed her. Scholars and biographers draw parallels between her struggles and modern mental health diagnoses, suggesting that in today’s context, she might have been identified as battling severe depression and addiction.
Central to her personal difficulties was her tumultuous relationship with Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis. Although he was enamored with the glamorous life that Callas represented, he ultimately left her for Jacqueline Kennedy. This deeply affected Callas, who found out about Onassis’s new relationship through television news, leaving her emotionally shattered. While rumors of a potential pregnancy with Onassis lingered, there remains no substantiated evidence.
By the end of her life, Callas had become increasingly isolated, spending her final days playing cards with her devoted butler and maid while caring for her dogs, distanced from her own family dynamics fraught with complexity. Her mother, who had initially pushed her into the spotlight, often sought money from her, while her father had resorted to emotional manipulation.
Callas passed away in 1977 at the age of 53 due to a heart attack, leaving behind a remarkable but complicated legacy in the world of opera.
This article serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges that even the most celebrated artists face beyond their public personas. As we reflect on Callas’s life, it’s essential to understand the importance of mental health awareness and the need for compassion towards individuals grappling with personal struggles, irrespective of their accomplishments. Maria Callas’s story, while tragic, illustrates the profound complexity of human emotion and the pursuit of fulfillment beyond fame.