The 10 Most Iconic Uses of Opera in Cinema

Opera, with its deeply emotional power, is a fantastic way for filmmakers to quickly establish a mood and connect with audiences on a profound level. Even if viewers don't grasp the lyrics or the meaning behind the opera, the emotion conveyed through the music can still be understood. Things are even better when the opera’s narrative aligns with the events on screen. Here is my personal ranking, considering both the thematic connection of the opera to the film and how well it integrates into the movie's storyline.

10. Sunday Bloody Sunday - Soave Sia Il Vento from Cosi fan tutte by Mozart

Sunday Bloody Sunday explores the complex love life of a young bisexual designer who juggles relationships with a recruitment consultant and a Jewish doctor. Both are aware of the other but fear losing him. Meanwhile, Cosi Fan Tutte delves into a test of faithfulness when two soldiers attempt to seduce each other's fiancées. The aria Soave Sia Il Vento is featured prominently, sung by the sisters as their fiancés depart for what they believe is war.

Wall Street is the quintessential depiction of 1980s greed and excess. It follows the journey of a young stockbroker who starts to emulate his idol, using insider trading to build his wealth. Rigoletto tells the tale of a shallow playboy Duke who seduces women and leaves them heartbroken. The aria Questa O Quella plays in Wall Street during a dinner scene with the young stockbroker and his materialistic girlfriend. The lyrics translate to 'This girl or that girl are just the same to me…' A stunning rendition is performed by Jan Peerce.

Fantasia, as you likely know, is the animated Disney film that pairs classical music with vibrant animation. One of its most memorable moments involves hippos and ostriches performing an amusing dance to a piece from an opera set during the Inquisition.

Gallipoli tells the poignant story of a group of young Australians, focusing on two friends who enlist together in World War I, fighting and ultimately perishing in the brutal Gallipoli campaign. Au Fond Du Temple Saint is a beautiful duet in which two men vow eternal friendship. In this film, the duet is beautifully performed by Plácido Domingo and Rolando Villazón.

The Fifth Element is an unexpected place for opera, yet its inclusion works remarkably well. As summarized on Wikipedia, the central storyline follows a taxicab driver named Dallas, whose responsibility is to ensure humanity's survival. He discovers a young extraterrestrial woman who is the Fifth Element, a prophesied savior. His task is to gather the other four elements to prevent an evil black planet from colliding with Earth. Meanwhile, Mangalores, mercenary aliens hired by the villain Zorg, try to stop him. This adventure aligns surprisingly well with Lucia di Lammermoor, especially the aria Il Dolce Suono, where Lucia dreams of marriage to her love, Edgardo, just as she has secretly murdered her husband Arturo. It all comes together perfectly, particularly after a few stiff drinks, as shown in this clip.

The Life of David Gale unfolds in the final week before the execution of David Gale, a former college professor and staunch opponent of the death penalty. He has been condemned for the rape and murder of a colleague, but as he recounts his story to a journalist, the true events surrounding the crime begin to surface. Turandot is a legendary Chinese princess who challenges her suitors with three riddles, where the stakes are either her hand in marriage or their lives. In the film, a mysterious stranger, who seems to be following the journalist, has an affinity for listening to Tu Che Di Gel Sei Cinta, an aria sung by Liu to Turandot right before she takes her own life. A beautiful rendition of the aria by Eva Marton can be heard.

The Hunger is a film about Miriam and John Blaylock, stylish vampires living in New York City in the 1980’s who first married in 18th century France. Unfortunately, old age is finally catching up with John, and very dramatically. While trying to help John, Miriam becomes interested in Sarah, who is studying sleep disorders and aging. Lakme is the story of Lakme, the daughter of a Brahmin high priest in 19th century British India. In this clip, Miriam is playing Viens, Malika on the piano and discussing with Sarah whether or not Lakme and Malika were lovers.

Life Is Beautiful is a film whose premise sounds like a complete oxymoron; a comedy about a concentration camp during the Holocaust. Guido, an Italian Jew, his five year old son and his wife Dora, are taken to a concentration camp. Rather than terrify his young son by admitting the truth, he spins a story of how they are playing a game, the winner of which will receive a real tank. Les Contes d’Hoffmann consists of three short stories. In the third act, Hoffmann falls in love with the courtesan Giulietta. In this clip, Guido has followed his future wife to the opera where he is attempting to gain her attention. This duet is also included later in the movie in a heartwrenching scene at the concentration camp.

Fatal Attraction tells the story of a successful, happily married man living in Manhattan who briefly has an affair with a single female editor. What he expects to be a short-lived fling soon escalates into a nightmare as the woman begins to stalk him, his wife, and daughter. Madama Butterfly tells the tale of a young Japanese geisha whose American lover, whom she believes is her husband, returns to her after a long separation, bringing his American wife with him. In despair, Butterfly takes her own life. In the film, Alex, the stalker, becomes captivated by Madama Butterfly and listens to several arias, including one while attempting suicide. Though there are no available clips of the song paired with the film, you can still appreciate the beauty of Renee Fleming’s rendition of the aria, where Butterfly dreams of the day her lover will return.

Apocalypse Now takes place during the Vietnam War and follows Army Captain Benjamin L. Willard, who is dispatched to the jungle to assassinate Colonel Walter E. Kurtz of the United States Army Special Forces, rumored to have lost his sanity. Ride of the Valkyries is an iconic piece featuring eight Valkyries, female deities who flew across battlefields, guiding the souls of the bravest warriors to Valhalla. The scene in question occurs during a US assault on a Vietnamese village, spurred by the desire to surf on its ideal beach. The viewer is left to decide who, if anyone, can be considered heroic in this chaotic moment.

Bonus: Rabbit of Seville Overture from Barber of Seville – Rossini

Alright, it’s not technically a film, but you know you’ve been wanting to see it!

Contributor: Mathilda