Opera Goes to Hollywood: 10 Movie Scenes Where Opera Was the Main Character
10 Movie Scenes Where Opera Was the Main Character
You might be a veteran opera fan, or completely new to the art form, but chances are you’ve experienced the effect of opera in some shape or form without having ever stepped into an opera house – even if it’s just a single scene in a movie. So, below are 10 of our favourite scenes from movies where opera was the main character:
Mrs Doubtfire (1993) – Figaro’s Aria from The Barber of Seville, Gioachino Rossini
Robin Williams’ unforgettable performance in Mrs Doubtfire begins with a touch of opera. In the opening sequence, his character, Daniel, dubs an animated cartoon and sings “Largo al factotum”, Figaro’s famous aria from Rossini’s The Barber of Seville. Williams’ energy and comedic flair shine as he belts out the rapid-fire “Figaro, Figaro, Figaro!” lyrics. This light-hearted nod to Rossini sets the tone for the rest of the film and showcases Williams’ unique ability to blend comedy with cultural sophistication.
Batman Begins (2005) – Mefistofele, Arrigo Boito
In Christopher Nolan’s Batman Begins, young Bruce Wayne attends an opera performance of Boito’s Mefistofele with his parents. The excerpt “Folletto!…Folletto!” is performed as an intense and eerie backdrop, foreshadowing the tragedy about to unfold. Spooked by the dark and dramatic imagery on stage, Bruce asks to leave the theatre, leading to his parents’ fatal encounter in a dark alleyway. The operatic score adds a layer of foreboding and heightens the pivotal moment that changes Bruce’s life forever.
Pretty Woman (1990) – La traviata, Giuseppe Verdi
One of the most romantic moments in Pretty Woman occurs when Edward (Richard Gere) takes Vivian (Julia Roberts) to her first opera. They watch Verdi’s La traviata, a tale of a doomed courtesan, whose story mirrors Vivian’s. The aria “Amami Alfredo” moves Vivian to tears, emphasising how opera’s raw emotion transcends boundaries. Verdi’s music, combined with Roberts’ heartfelt performance, captures the transformative power of art and love. The parallels between Violetta’s struggles and Vivian’s add poignancy to this iconic scene.
Mr Bean’s Holiday (2007) – O mio babbino caro from Gianni Schicchi, Giacomo Puccini
Rowan Atkinson’s Mr Bean uses Puccini’s “O mio babbino caro” for a comedic twist in Mr Bean’s Holiday. When Mr Bean and his young companion Stepan need money, Bean stages a melodramatic street performance, lip-syncing to this iconic aria. Originally sung by a daughter pleading with her father, Bean transforms it into an over-the-top display of faux grief. The scene cleverly satirises opera’s association with heightened emotions, while Puccini’s timeless melody lends an unexpected elegance to the hilarity.
Florence Foster Jenkins (2016) – “Der Hölle Rache” from The Magic Flute, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
In Stephen Frears’ Florence Foster Jenkins, Meryl Streep stars as the eccentric, real-life heiress and socialite determined to become an opera singer despite her lack of talent. One of the most memorable scenes sees her attempting Mozart’s notoriously challenging “Queen of the Night Aria” (Der Hölle Rache) from The Magic Flute. Streep’s pitchy, off-key rendition is hilariously endearing while also showcasing the character’s unrelenting passion for music. The scene strikes a perfect balance between comedy and heartfelt admiration for Florence’s unwavering dedication to her dreams.
The Talented Mr Ripley (1999) – Tu vuo’ fa l’americano by Renato Carosone & E lucevan le stelle from Tosca, Giacomo Puccini
Opera plays a dual role in The Talented Mr Ripley. Renato Carosone’s lively “Tu vuo’ fa l’americano” sets the tone for a lively, deceptive encounter, while Puccini’s “E lucevan le stelle” reflects Tom Ripley’s inner turmoil. The opera scene, with Ripley attending Tosca, mirrors his psychological state, as guilt and identity blur. Puccini’s aria captures the emotional depths of the story, amplifying the film’s themes of ambition, betrayal, and tragedy.
Philadelphia (1993) – La mamma morta from Andrea Chénier, Umberto Giordano
Tom Hanks’ emotional performance in Philadelphia includes a deeply moving scene where his character, Andrew, plays “La mamma morta” for his lawyer (Denzel Washington). As Maria Callas’ voice soars, Andrew explains the aria’s meaning, drawing parallels between the music and his own struggles with AIDS and discrimination. The haunting beauty of Giordano’s music conveys the anguish and resilience of the human spirit, making it one of the film’s most poignant and memorable moments.
Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation (2015) – Nessun Dorma from Turandot, Giacomo Puccini
In Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation, Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and his team try to prevent an assassination during a performance of Puccini’s Turandot at the Vienna State Opera. The sequence is a masterclass in tension, with the famous aria “Nessun Dorma” providing a dramatic and triumphant soundtrack. Puccini’s powerful music perfectly complements the high-stakes action, blending the glamour of the opera world with the thrilling intensity of a spy mission.
The Shawshank Redemption (1994) – “Sull’aria” from Le nozze di Figaro, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
In The Shawshank Redemption, Andy Dufresne defies prison rules by playing Mozart’s “Sull’aria” over the loudspeakers for the entire prison to hear. The duet, from The Marriage of Figaro, offers a moment of rare beauty and freedom to the inmates, temporarily lifting them out of their grim reality. The ethereal voices of the Countess and Susanna seem to transcend the prison walls, creating a powerful and emotional metaphor for hope and the human spirit’s resilience.
Apocalypse Now (1979) – Ride of the Valkyries from Die Walküre, Richard Wagner
Francis Ford Coppola’s Vietnam war epic features one of the most iconic uses of opera in cinema. In a notorious scene, U.S. soldiers blast Wagner’s “Ride of the Valkyries” from their helicopters’ speakers as they prepare to attack a village. The dramatic, bombastic music from Wagner’s Ring Cycle mirrors the soldiers’ bravado and chaos of war. The contrast between the grandeur of the music and the brutality of the battle creates a powerful, unforgettable cinematic moment.