KU opera director inhabited Maria Callas long before Netflix biopic

LAWRENCE — Stella Markou knew Maria Callas was ripe for fresh appreciation. So a couple of years ago, the University of Kansas School of Music professor and voice/opera area director put together a one-woman, singing TED-type talk about the woman the world calls “La Divina” — “The Divine One.”

Thus, Markou said she is excited to see Netflix’s “Maria” biopic starring Angelina Jolie when it premieres this winter. It has a limited theatrical release starting Nov. 27; streaming starts Dec. 11.

Markou is available to journalists to comment upon the life, artistry and influence of Callas on popular culture.

She will next give her Callas presentation, accompanied by fellow Music faculty member pianist Ellen Sommer, on Dec. 11 at Swarthout Recital Hall on campus.

Forty-seven years after her death at age 53, Callas might now be most identified with the word “diva,” with its implication of unreasoning, temperamental perfectionism. But Markou finds that patronizing, noting that Callas overcame many tragic circumstances to reach the pinnacle, starting with her opportunistic and abusive mother and being persecuted in the aftermath of Nazi Germany’s occupation of Greece.

“I'm just hoping that the movie highlights the extraordinary aspects of her strength — both who she was as a woman and her abilities — and not just the petulant, talented diva side,” Markou said.

Markou said the stereotype of the operatic diva is often based on a misunderstanding of artistic integrity.

“That's what I try to explain to my students,” the KU professor said. “They're about to give a recital, and they step out on the stage with heels on, and they look uncomfortable. They say, ‘Oh, I can't walk in heels.’ Well, that’s because you don't practice in them. They're like, ‘Oh, my God, it's so easy for you.’ But that is because I understand something as simple as wearing the appropriate shoe or attire is something that must be practiced and ingrained slowly. Holding yourself with propriety is not being a diva — it is a learned aesthetic that is then transferred to the stage. It's a discipline that carries over to the art. And people in modern life find that difficult to understand.”

Markou’s TED-type talk elucidates Callas’ major operatic roles and how several of them seemed to align thematically with what was going on in her life at various points, which only served to increase her star power. Markou sings excerpts from some of Callas’ most famous arias and plays a few recordings of Callas to give the audience an experience to listen to La Divina’s voice in the context of her life.

Markou said that, growing up a singer in a Greek family, it was natural that others would begin comparing her to Callas.

“I grew up with it as part of my heritage,” Markou said, “not necessarily the acoustical thing, but the existence, the power, the glory and the myth of Callas. So it was a huge influence in that capacity. And then, when I was younger, I was told that I resembled some of her physical aspects. Of course, she was much taller than me. But certain Greek features are irrefutable.

“I'm very curious to see how they will capture the essence of Callas and her dramatic features. I am very intrigued about the movie’s final outcome and am curious to see how they link her fascinating and artistic life together.”

Markou said Callas’ life was tragic in the end (“she basically died of a broken heart”), but only after reaching unparalleled heights.

“I always say that when there is something of great beauty, the world either elevates it, or then eventually tries to knock it down. And that, sadly, is what the world tried doing to her,” Markou said. “Callas’ voice and legacy, however, remains untouchable. What she can do is just so extraordinary.

“I believe her voice to possess an unparalleled strength and intensity. It is her entire package along with her dramatic prowess on the stage and her phenomenal ability to manifest into anything her role required of her that made her truly divine.”