Week 18: Opera or Film?
1. What 1993 film is based on a famed opera and stars Jeremy Irons and John Lone? A: M. Butterfly
This film by Warner Bros. Studios was released on October 1, 1993 and grossed $1,498,795 in the domestic box office. The film was given an approval rating of 43%, maybe this is better left as an opera!
Santa Fe Opera was set to have the world premiere of M. Butterfly this summer 2020.
M. Butterfly Film Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgANS15AN4I
Maria Callas sings “Un bel dì, vedremo”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tmfw17L_Deo
Madama Butterfly had its Cincinnati debut in 1924 and was last seen in 2014.
2. What 1975 film was based on a popular, whimsical opera and was directed by Ingmar Bergman? A: The Magic Flute
The Magic Flute is Ingmar Bergman's 1975 film version of Mozart's opera Die Zauberflöte. It was intended as a television production and was first shown on Swedish television on January 1, 1975, but was followed by a cinema release later that year. The film is widely viewed as one of the most successful films of an opera ever made, unlike the film M. Butterfly from the previous question!
The Magic Flute Film Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbtxudeHzmg
Diana Damrau sings the Queen of the Night aria from a Royal Opera House production: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YuBeBjqKSGQ
The Magic Flute had its Cincinnati debut in 1932 and was last seen in 2017.
3. What famous opera tune serves as the opening credits music for the film Aria? A: Giuseppe Verdi’s La Traviata
Aria is a 1987 film produced by Don Boyd that consists of ten short films by ten different directors, each showing the director's choice of visual accompaniment to one or more operatic arias. There is little or no dialogue from the actors, with most words coming from the libretto of operas performed in Italian, French, or German. The opening credits are set to the overture from Giuseppe Verdi’s La Traviata. Aria Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKZ40MhL7bc “Brindisi” (The Drinking Song) from Glyndebourne’s 2014 production: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZvgmpiQCcI
La Traviata had its Cincinnati debut in 1923 and was last seen in 2018.
4. The widely popular film Rent was based on the Broadway musical of the same name, but what famous opera was the Broadway musical based on? A: La Bohème
Rent is a 2005 American musical drama film. It is an adaptation of the 1996 Broadway musical of the same name, in turn based on Giacomo Puccini's 1896 opera La Bohème. The film features six of the original Broadway cast members and depicts the lives of several Bohemians and their struggles with sexuality, drugs, and of course, paying their rent. The film takes place in the East Village of New York City from 1989 to 1990.
2005 Rent Film Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DCbviP3nx0
Luciano Pavarotti and Fiamma Izzo d’Amico sing “O soave fanciulla”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzPW8mXX3bg
La Bohème had its Cincinnati debut in 1924 and was last seen in 2017.
5. What film was based on Rigoletto by Verdi? A: Rick
Verdi’s Rigoletto is retold at Christmas time in Manhattan’s corporate world in the 2003 film, Rick. The film stars Bill Pullman, Aaron Stanford, Agnes Bruckner, and Sandra Oh.
Rick Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNz83znrSKY
Juan Diego Flórez sings “La donna è mobile” from Zurich Opera’s 2008 production: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hc1dFDY3NKo
Rigoletto had its Cincinnati debut in 1920 and was last seen in 2011.
6. What film based on a famous opera was produced by MTV and stars Beyoncé Knowles? A: Carmen: A Hip Hopera
Carmen: A Hip Hopera is based on George Bizet’s 1875 opera Carmen. The film is set in modern day Philadelphia and Los Angeles, and features a mostly original hip-hop and R&B score. This film is the second major African American adaptation of the opera, the first was the 1954 film Carmen Jones which was based on the 1943 Broadway musical of the same name.
Carmen: A Hip Hopera Clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5J9kN2nKY8
Elina Garanca sings “L’amour est un oiseau rebelle” from The Met’s 2010 productions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2snTkaD64U
Carmen had its Cincinnati debut in 1921 and was last seen in 2014.