All we know About Maria Callas: The Final Act

Maria Callas was known for her voice as well as her beauty and temper. A cover star with the looks of a model and a love for the high class life, she was opera’s beloved for a long long time before tragedy struck and she lost it all. Maria fell for Aristotle Onassis, a shipping billionaire, who then left her for Jackie Kennedy. 

Multiple films have been made on her, with the latest being the Angelina Jolie starrer Maria. However, this documentary from Arena and director Clare Beavan aims to redefine a predominant narrative. It believes that the one thing that Callas loved more than anyone or anything, was her voice and the actual tragedy is that Callas lost it earlier than many think. 

So, what was it that made Maria lose the voice that enchanted so many? This docu aims to find that. In this article, we will discuss everything we know about Maria Callas: The Final Act, including the plot, release date, where to watch, and more. Stay tuned as we will keep updating this article with new information when available. 

Where and when to Watch Maria Callas: The Final Act?

Maria Callas: The Final Act will air on the channel BBC Two on Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024 from 9:00 pm to 10:00 pm. It will also be available on BBCiPlayer. 

What is the plot of Maria Callas: The Final Act?

Maria Callas was a defiant woman who was a trailblazer for female artists. Her voice was her highly treasured gift. But gradually, she began to lose it. This documentary aims to answer how. In the film, Will Crutchfield, a musicologist and conductor, who has studied Callas’s voice thinks that there was a ‘wobble’ in her voice even in her earliest performances. 

But what resulted in this flaw or wobble? For that, the film traces back her numerous interviews, unpacks archives and follows the directions laid down by other knowledgeable contributors. But this isn’t just a mystery film. It is also a celebration of the woman herself. 

Soprano Nadine Benjamin explains that Callas’s voice enthralled so many because she was able to convey emotions through it. Whether it was love, pain, sadness, or anything else, it reached the listener. Along with this, the Special also explores her impact on classical music. 

The film also attempts to deconstruct the myth that she threw away her career for Onassis. Instead, it proposes that her relationship with him offered her a way out when her voice was already failing. 

Trailer of Maria Callas: The Final Act

In a clip called, “Here is the best soprano history has shown us” we see experts and admirers of Maria Callas talk about her talent. You can check out the clip here. 

Who is in the cast of Maria Callas: The Final Act?

The people interviewed include:

• Musicologist and conductor Will Crutchfield 
• Soprano Nadine Benjamin
• Conductor Richard Bonynge
• Sir Simon Schama
• Daisy Goodwin, author of Diva, a novel about Callas’s life
• Biographer Sophia Lambton
• Callas superfan Rob Rinder
• Tommaso Pagani, curator of a private Callas archive collection in Italy

Behind the Scenes

Maria Callas: The Final Act is produced by Swan Films for BBC Two and BBC iPlayer. It is directed by Clare Beavan. Neil Crombie and Joe Evans are the executive producers for Swan Films. Mark Bell on the other hand is the Commissioning Editor for the BBC.