Maria by Callas

Sony Pictures Classics | Release Date: November 2, 2018

6.7	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 15 Ratings

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GreatMartinDec 4, 2018

As a kid the only thing I knew about opera was what I learned in music appreciation in high school and that was "Carmen" and "Madame Butterfly". I, also, went on a school trip to the 'Old Met' plus let's not forget Mario Lanza as Caruso orAs a kid the only thing I knew about opera was what I learned in music appreciation in high school and that was "Carmen" and "Madame Butterfly". I, also, went on a school trip to the 'Old Met' plus let's not forget Mario Lanza as Caruso or Jeanette McDonald and Nelson Eddy.

In the 1950s I was very much into theatre, both musicals and plays, plus concerts, pop and Bernstein, movies, television was becoming very popular and the name Maria Callas started to appear in papers, magazines, interview shows on television but mainly became known as a prima donna first in a good way than as a sneer. She was a married woman having an affair with a Greek millionaire who would eventually leave her for Jackie Kennedy after the United States President died.

In "Maria by Callas" Maria Callas tells her story in her words, pictures, events and we hear her voice at its best, though recordings 50-60 years ago weren't as clear as they are today. We see her being mobbed by fans, the press, notable people like Queen Elizabeth and the Queen Mother, Elizabeth Taylor, Bridgette Bardot, interviewed by Edward R. Murrow, David Frost and Barbara Walters. She talks about how and why performances were missed and how, as a woman, she had to choose between her career and having a family, her feuds with her mother and the Met Opera director Rudolph Bing.

Whether playing the Diva or the rejected lover the main things that stand out about Maria Callas are her wide, open black eyes, thin body and, yes, that glorious voice. I won't pretend I know bel canto technique from a soaring soprano or other voices but I can be moved and I was by many of the arias she sings in this documentary.

"Maria by Callas" presents a woman, a singer, many of us may have only known by the headlines or a gay icon but who deservedly was called 'the' female opera singer of the twentieth century. It also makes me realize what I missed not seeing her perform on stage.

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1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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jude5420Nov 7, 2018

It’s a love letter to Maria Callas, and there is a great deal to love, as Callas never loses her coquettish charm, vulnerability, and magnetism. No question, the film excuses and even negates her infamous spasms of hubris and foolish pride.It’s a love letter to Maria Callas, and there is a great deal to love, as Callas never loses her coquettish charm, vulnerability, and magnetism. No question, the film excuses and even negates her infamous spasms of hubris and foolish pride. But this blind adulation never gets tiresome, as “Maria by Callas” is anchored by La Divina’s most extraordinary performances, colorized and unedited, in all her glory. Because of her staggering artistry, Callas is endlessly watchable, and the film understands this idea implicitly. I think even Maria herself would approve of “Maria by Callas”, and that is saying something.… Expand

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Brent_MarchantNov 25, 2018

A real gem for fans of the famed diva, with many fine performance sequences that show her off in her best light. As for the rest of the film, however, the insights are not as abundant or as in-depth as one would hope for, frequently repeatingA real gem for fans of the famed diva, with many fine performance sequences that show her off in her best light. As for the rest of the film, however, the insights are not as abundant or as in-depth as one would hope for, frequently repeating ground covered multiple times in different segments. The film also seems to rely on a plethora of airport arrival shots in different cities, which, if you've seen one, you probably don't need to see the same basic footage over and over again. Overall, while it's true I enjoyed this release, I nevertheless came away from it wanting more than what it actually delivers.… Expand

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GinaKNov 27, 2018

I worked for an opera singer and have been backstage at the Met, and I thought this was a balanced study – not slavishly adoring but yet with an understanding of what it is like to be a diva. The discipline of only using actual clips ofI worked for an opera singer and have been backstage at the Met, and I thought this was a balanced study – not slavishly adoring but yet with an understanding of what it is like to be a diva. The discipline of only using actual clips of Callas speaking keeps us away from gushing fans (except for one quick visit to the Met ticket line) and also from critics who are not always objective. And ignoring her colleagues made it seem that she was the only one on stage and avoided exploring opera’s complexities, but the reward was a unique, focused, and valuable understanding of Callas.… Expand

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