Written by Lizzy Hardman
Opera is often seen as inaccessible, but there have been some amazing opera moments in plenty of pretty big films! It's not to say that these presentations aren't free of stereotypes - I'm sure everyone is fed up of the whole 'someone appreciating opera is a sign of their value' schtick.
Nevertheless, if you want to combine two of the most awesome mediums - opera and film - look no further for our top picks of opera moments in film. Find your Netflix-spiration here.
We've stuck to bits in film where people attend the opera rather than where opera music is used (although that's usually the most dramatic moment, a la the Ride of the Valkyrie in Apocalypse Now).
The Fifth Element (1997)
If you like sci-fi and adventure.
A Luc Besson classic. A Gary Oldman villain vs. Milla Jovovich and Bruce Willis, as they try to save the Earth in the 23rd century.
Operatic moment: Willis' Korben watches the captivating performance of the diva, Plavalaguna, a six foot-something blue alien, while on a luxury cruise spaceship. A bit different from the usual opera visits in films. Plavalaguna gives us the first half of the 'mad scene' from Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor, before breaking into a digitally altered pop aria by the film's composer, Eric Serra.
Pretty Woman (1990)
If you like rom-coms.
Opera is often seen as inaccessible, but there have been some amazing opera moments in plenty of pretty big films! It's not to say that these presentations aren't free of stereotypes - I'm sure everyone is fed up of the whole 'someone appreciating opera is a sign of their value' schtick.
Nevertheless, if you want to combine two of the most awesome mediums - opera and film - look no further for our top picks of opera moments in film. Find your Netflix-spiration here.
We've stuck to bits in film where people attend the opera rather than where opera music is used (although that's usually the most dramatic moment, a la the Ride of the Valkyrie in Apocalypse Now).
The Fifth Element (1997)
If you like sci-fi and adventure.
A Luc Besson classic. A Gary Oldman villain vs. Milla Jovovich and Bruce Willis, as they try to save the Earth in the 23rd century.
Operatic moment: Willis' Korben watches the captivating performance of the diva, Plavalaguna, a six foot-something blue alien, while on a luxury cruise spaceship. A bit different from the usual opera visits in films. Plavalaguna gives us the first half of the 'mad scene' from Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor, before breaking into a digitally altered pop aria by the film's composer, Eric Serra.
Pretty Woman (1990)
If you like rom-coms.
The iconic rom-com starring Julia Roberts and Richard Gere. Roberts plays a sex worker who is hired by Gere for some social functions and we get to see their relationship develop over the week she stays with him.
Operatic moment: Although it does fall into the category of troped-to-the-eyeballs; audience dressed in black tie, an ornate opera house filled with the upper classes, and Roberts' Vivian being given value by her appreciation for opera, it is a turning point in the couple's relationship, and it is a cool (if not slightly on the nose) parallel with the film's story.
Vivian and Edward attend the opera together and watch a production of Verdi's La Traviata, who's plot follows a sex worker who begins a relationship (with a much less happy outcome). There's also the bonus of getting to hear snippets of Verdi's music - we get the opening, some 'Sempre libera', 'Amami Alfredo', and the finale.
Quantum of Solace (2008)
If you like thrillers and action.
This is the 22nd James Bond film in the series and is the sequel to Casino Royale, again starring Daniel Craig as Bond. It is supposedly the most violent film in the franchise, as well as being the shortest - perfect for quick thrills.
Operatic moment: Fairly close to the beginning of the film, we get Bond stalking his enemies backstage at a performance of Puccini's Tosca at the floating opera stage on Lake Constance in Austria. It provides suitably dramatic music for a tense situation, and is a refreshingly different view of an opera venue.
Farinelli (1994)
If you like period dramas and biographical dramas.
This biographical drama is based on the life of the famous 18th century castrato singer, Farinelli (real name Carlo Broschi).
Operatic moment: They come thick and fast, as it's a film about an opera singer, but the most moving is the film's climactic Handel's 'Laschia ch'io pianga', making Handel himself faint. The castrato sound is created by a blend of a soprano, Ewa Malas-Godlewska, and a countertenor, Derek Lee Ragin.
No comments
Post a Comment