Angelina Jolie took time out from her career for a while, but is back with a vengeance now as an actor with her most acclaimed performance in years as Opera star Maria Callas in Maria, and as a director for Without Blood which she shot largely in Rome at Cinecitta with Salma Hayek and Demien Bichir.

In Pablo Larraín’s “Maria,” which Netflix released in theaters Wednesday before it begins streaming on Dec. 11, Jolie gives, if not the performance of her career, then certainly of her last decade. Beginning with 2010’s “In the Land of Blood and Honey,” Jolie has spent recent years directing films while prioritizing raising her six children.

Jolie, whose combination of artistry and larger-than-life stardom makes her the only actress who could play this part right now, is luminous.

The Oscar winner took months of singing lessons to portray the iconic soprano in the film. Rick Damigella talked with Jolie and her voice coach about making the film.