Haluk Bilginer will star in the movie “Maria” with Angelina Jolie. Directed by Pablo Larrain, the movie is based on the life of opera singer Maria Callas.
Haluk Bilginer continues to make his voice heard all over the world by taking part in international projects. The star actor will share the lead role with Angelina Jolie in Pablo Larrain’s new movie Maria.
Last year, it was revealed that Chilean director Pablo Larraín, known for productions such as Spencer and Jackie, would make a movie about the life of Greek-American soprano Maria Callas and that he had agreed with Angelina Jolie for the lead role.
Now, according to Ranini TV, the name that will portray Aristotel Sokratis Onassis, a Greek-born shipowner and businessman, has been announced. Haluk Bilginer, who won the International Emmy Award for Best Actor for his performance in the series Şahsiyet (Persona), will play Onassis in Maria.
Shooting Starts for “Maria” with Haluk Bilginer
Production is expected to begin in October in Budapest, Hungary, and the screenplay for Maria is written by Steven Knight, who received an Oscar nomination for Dirty Pretty Things and has recently made a name for himself with Peaky Blinders.
The movie Maria will portray the final stages of the loneliness of the famous opera singer Maria Callas in Paris in the 1970s.
Maria Callas was a Greek immigrant living in New York and one of the most famous sopranos of her time. Callas, who was in a relationship with Aristotle Onassis for a long time, had to go through a difficult period when Onassis left her to marry Jackie Kennedy. The artist could not fully overcome this separation. She died in 1977 at the age of 52 as a result of a heart attack.
The harassment and violent behavior Maria Callas suffered from Onassis during her lifetime was also heavily debated in public.
In Which Productions Have Pablo Larrain, Angelina Jolie and Haluk Bilginer Worked Recently?
Pablo Larrain recently appeared before the audience with El Conde, which was released on Netflix. The production, which competed in the Golden Lion category at the Venice Film Festival, was about an alternative in which Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet was not dead and returned as a vampire.
Maria’s leading lady Angelina Jolie is currently focusing on the editing process of Without Blood, for which she has taken the director’s chair. The movie, which stars Salma Hayek, Demian Bichir, Juan Minujin and Andres Delgado, follows the revenge story of a young girl.
Haluk Bilginer recently starred in the Netflix series based on Afşin Kum’s novel Sıcak Kafa (Hot Head) and Ay Yapım’s Baba (Father), which aired on Show TV. In the near future, the famous actor will also find a place in the series The Turkish Detective, which will be broadcast on the Paramount+ platform.
Bilginer’s other international project is the mini-series The Veil, starring Elisabeth Moss. Steven Knight is the screenwriter of the FX-produced series. The series tells the tense story of two women who play a deadly game of truth.
MUST READ: Unveiling the Extraordinary: 10 Fascinating Maria Callas Facts You Didn’t Know
Maria Callas facts
- Early Life: Maria Callas was born in New York City to Greek immigrant parents on December 2, 1923. Her original name was Maria Anna Cecilia Sofia Kalogeropoulos, but she later adopted the stage name “Callas.”
- Greek Nationality: Although she was born in the United States, Callas considered herself a Greek national and became a naturalized Greek citizen later in life.
- Musical Family: Her mother, Evangelia, was a soprano, and her father, George, was a pharmacist with a passion for music. They recognized her talent early on and supported her musical education.
- Vocal Range: Callas possessed a remarkable vocal range, known for her soprano voice with a wide tessitura (range of notes). Her voice had great agility and dramatic intensity, allowing her to excel in both lyrical and dramatic roles.
- La Scala Debut: She made her professional debut at the prestigious La Scala opera house in Milan, Italy, in 1950, performing the role of Brünnhilde in Wagner’s “Die Walküre.”
- Signature Roles: Some of Callas’s most iconic roles included Violetta in “La Traviata,” Norma in “Norma,” Medea in “Medea,” and Tosca in “Tosca.” Her interpretations of these roles are considered legendary.
- Collaboration with Leonard Bernstein: Callas collaborated with renowned conductor and composer Leonard Bernstein for a celebrated performance of Cherubini’s “Medea” in 1958 at the Edinburgh Festival.
- Weight Loss: Throughout her career, Callas faced scrutiny and criticism for her fluctuating weight. She famously lost a significant amount of weight, which had an impact on her appearance and vocal abilities.
- Rivalry with Renata Tebaldi: Callas had a famous rivalry with fellow soprano Renata Tebaldi. Their differing vocal styles and passionate fan bases fueled a rivalry that was often exaggerated in the media.
- Retirement and Comeback: She officially retired from the opera stage in 1965 but made a brief comeback in 1973 with a series of concerts. However, her voice had changed due to age and her hiatus from performing.
- Personal Life: Maria Callas had a tumultuous personal life, including a highly publicized affair with Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis. Their relationship ended when Onassis married Jacqueline Kennedy.
- Legacy: Maria Callas left a lasting legacy in the world of opera. Her recordings are still highly regarded, and her influence on vocal technique and interpretation continues to be studied by aspiring opera singers.
- Early Death: Tragically, Maria Callas passed away at the age of 53 on September 16, 1977, in Paris, France, due to a heart attack. Her untimely death was a great loss to the world of opera.
