Callas was an American-born Greek soprano and one of opera’s most famous singers.
In Maria, a mix of Jolie’s voice and Callas’ original recording is used for the singing scenes.
The actress learned to sing opera for the role, which she described as “very physically demanding work.”
The training took about seven months, she said.
“We started with regular singing lessons and it was difficult in many ways. But when opera lessons started, it was a very different physicality that required breathing and body and the strength to push yourself.”
Jolie, whose previous films include Changeling, Maleficent, Salt and Mr & Mrs Smith, said she had never sung before and added: “I was quite embarrassed,” he said.
“That was probably one of the parts of my life where I was hesitant,” she said.
But she said it’s also something she enjoys doing.
“One of the greatest privileges of being an actor is that you often get the support of the crew to try and explore things you’ve never done before, which has definitely been the most challenging,” she said.
