Warning: Spoilers ahead for the movie Maria. Slated for success on Netflix, Maria (2024) narrates the poignant final chapter of the illustrious opera singer’s life. Struggling with solitude and the effects of medication, Maria Callas grapples with the diminishing power of her once-celebrated voice. The emotional burden of her declining career manifests physically, culminating in her heartbreaking swan song and subsequent death.
The film’s narrative is deeply personal, marked by the unwavering loyalty of Ferruccio Mezzadri, Maria’s devoted butler. It is Ferruccio who discovers her lifeless body, underscoring the depth of their relationship. Serving as both protector from relentless paparazzi and caretaker, he symbolizes steadfast support amid Maria’s trials. Notably, Ferruccio is based on Callas’s real-life butler, who continued to serve in his profession even after her passing.
Mezzadri’s Life in Italy and Reflections on His Time with Callas
Ferruccio Mezzadri: A Source of Inspiration Beyond the Netflix Biopic
Ferruccio Mezzadri remains a significant figure in Italian culture, offering invaluable insights into Maria Callas’s life. As detailed by Decider, screenwriter Steven Knight based his work on firsthand accounts from individuals close to Callas, including Mezzadri. Knight emphasizes the importance of authentic memories, stating, “the memories of living witnesses to real events are worth more than anything you can gain from text.”
Mezzadri’s unwavering loyalty to Callas continued long after her death. He fondly recalls their shared moments and has been a source of inspiration for various works, including “The Black Pearl,”which reflects on their relationship posthumously. Reports from The Cinemaholic indicate that Mezzadri captures his experiences in the book Destiny Made Me Meet Maria Callas — Ferruccio Mezzadri Tells.
Ferruccio Mezzadri’s Continued Legacy After Callas’ Death
Serving Christina Onassis Post-Callas
Following Maria Callas’s passing, Mezzadri continued in the realm of personal service, taking a role as butler for Christina Onassis, the daughter of Aristotle Onassis. The complex relationship between Callas and Onassis is illuminated through Mezzadri’s work as many are aware of the affair that strained family ties. Reports from Greek Reporter detail that Maria’s affair with Aristotle led to his divorce from Christina’s mother when she was merely nine years old. Though Callas and Aristotle shared a passionate bond, it ultimately ended as he wed Jackie Kennedy.
Eventually, Ferruccio would transition to work for other families, including Federico Benfer, before opting for a quieter life in Italy. Yet, his devotion to Maria Callas’s memory and legacy endured, reflecting a deeply human connection that transcends even her illustrious career and tragic demise.
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