Maria: La Divina at Covent Garden at the Royal Opera House

Angelina Jolie’s portrayal of Maria Callas beautifully captures the soprano’s final days in Paris, yet it is only fitting that the accompaniment to Pablo Larraín’s Maria unfolds at the Royal Opera House – the very venue where the legendary opera singer made her London debut in 1952 and, 13 years later, brought her illustrious career to a close with a standing ovation in Puccini’s Tosca, taking an unforgettable 16 curtain calls before bidding farewell to the operatic stage.

Like the final instalment of Larraín’s trilogy, Maria: La Divina makes it clear that, despite her remarkably common first name, Callas requires no last name in the world of opera. The 75-minute-long tour offers a surprisingly grounded perspective on Callas’s divine legacy, with the most dramatic exhibit featuring two striking gowns by Maria‘s costume designer, Massimo Cantini Parrini, showcased on a brilliantly lit stage. Out of Parrini’s 60 creations for the film, these two pieces stand out as instantly recognisable. The first is the gown worn by Jolie’s Callas in her portrayal of Medea – an ivory silk satin dress, its surface hand-painted with bold tempera and oil strokes that call to mind the vivid artistry and colours of prehistoric times. The second, true to Callas’s old-school glamour, is the deep blue silk velvet gown worn during the film’s re-enactment of Tosca, complete with delicate silver embroidery, a fur-trimmed cape, and Swarovski crystals that shimmer under the lights.

For the most part, the tour extends beyond the shadow of the film to provide a backstage view that feels more Callas than Maria. Visitors are invited to step into the modest yet well-equipped dressing room where Callas prepared for her roles – a space still used by today’s stars. The hat-making workshop is another highlight, displaying the history and artistry behind Callas’s extravagant headdresses, crafted with painstaking attention to detail. These intimate glimpses behind the stage reveal the dedication that shaped each transformative performance. Adding to the experience is the vibrant energy of the Royal Opera House itself. With performers and staff moving swiftly through the building in the early hours, the theatre’s bustling activity wordlessly speaks to the timelessness of the art form, perfectly complementing Larraín’s film and Callas’s enduring legacy.

Christina Yang

Maria: La Divina at Covent Garden is at the Royal Opera House from 18^th until 19^th January 2025. For further information or to book visit the exhibition’s website here.

Watch the trailer for Maria here: