In an interview with Kyle Meredith, Monica Bellucci opens up about her experience embodying the legendary opera singer Maria Callas in the stage show, Maria Callas: Letters and Memoirs. This production, which Bellucci has been performing since 2019, has been an emotional journey for her, offering a different challenge compared to her work in film. She describes how performing on stage is more direct and intimate, feeling as though she shares “the same breath” with the audience for an hour and a half. The stage format also brings her a level of anxiety and excitement each time, as every performance feels like the first. The production has been performed in three languages—French, Italian, and English—adding even more depth and versatility to the project.
Bellucci highlights her deep connection with Callas, particularly through the singer’s personal letters, which reveal a vulnerable and human side of her. These letters inspired Bellucci to dive into the role, portraying not just the icon, Maria Callas the diva, but Maria, the person behind the fame. She speaks about Callas’ dual nature—the strong public figure contrasted with a private person full of emotions and heartbreak. For Bellucci, this role has been a profound exploration of Callas’ resilience and passion, and the duality of her life: the diva with immense talent and the vulnerable woman who died of heartbreak.
Bellucci also shares that she became familiar with Callas while preparing for her role in Mozart in the Jungle, and that portraying an opera singer—though not literally singing—required her to consider how to project her voice to evoke strong emotions. The voice, she says, becomes an instrument in itself, essential for conveying the emotions of Callas’ complex journey.
Beyond Maria Callas: Letters and Memoirs, Bellucci talks about other projects, including her role in the comedy film Mafia Mamma, opposite Toni Collette. She describes Collette as an amazing collaborator, and the film as a fun project that puts a “feminine twist” on the mafia narrative. When asked about her absence from The Matrix Resurrections, Bellucci clarifies that she wasn’t approached for the new film but has fond memories of working on the original trilogy.
Ultimately, Bellucci’s work with Callas is about capturing a woman’s humanity and struggles in a male-dominated world—a theme she says resonates both with Callas and with other iconic figures she’s portrayed. For Bellucci, these roles reflect the strength and bravery of women who, even amid tragedy, lived life with intensity and authenticity.
Watch the interview above and then check out the video below.
