In 1977, Maria Callas (Fanny Ardant), the most famous diva in the world, lives confined in her Paris apartment. Her producer friend Larry Kelly (Jeremy Irons) offers her to sing "Carmen" in a televised concert. Unfortunately, Maria's voice, tired and worn by years and strain, is not what it used to be. Larry knows the way around the problem: a technical stratagem will create the illusion. Maria, disregarding her friend Sarah Keller's (Dame Joan Plowright) warning, agrees with the idea, and the show is a tremendous success. With that in mind, Larry now considers a new version of "Tosca". But this time, Maria objects to the subterfuge. Her decision will mark the beginning of the end for the legendary singer.—Guy Bellinger