Opera Music in Horror Movies: A Love Story

A love story between a young woman and the opera music she grew up with.

Introduction

Horror movies are known for their spine chilling music which leaves the viewers at the edge of their seats. What many people don’t know is that a lot of these horror movie scores are actually opera music. In this article, we will explore the relationship between opera music and horror movies and how they have been used together to create some truly horrific scenes.

Opera is a form of drama that is usually set to music. It is characterized by its use of grandiose settings and dramatic plots. Opera music is often described as being very emotional and passionate. The word “opera” itself comes from the Italian word “opera”, which means “work”. Opera was first performed in the 16th century in Italy and it quickly became popular all over Europe.

One of the most famous examples of opera music being used in a horror movie is in the 1963 film, The Haunting. The film is about a group of people who are hired to investigate a haunted house. The score for the film was composed by Gerald Fried and it features the famous aria “Nessun Dorma” from Puccini’s opera Turandot. The use of this particular aria in the film creates a feeling of dread and foreboding, which perfectly sets the mood for the film’s eerie atmosphere.

Another example of opera music being used in a horror movie is in the 1968 film Rosemary’s Baby. The score for this film was composed by Krzysztof Komeda and it features several pieces of classical opera music, including an excerpt from Tosca by Puccini. The use of opera music in this film helps to create an atmosphere of unease and suspense, which perfectly compliments the film’s disturbingly creepy plot.

Opera music has also been used in several other horror films, such as The Omen (1976), Suspiria (1977), and Phantom of the Paradise (1974). In each of these films, the use of operatic scores helps to create an atmosphere that is both chilling and atmospheric. It is clear that opera music and horror movies have a long-standing relationship with one another, and it seems that this relationship is only getting stronger as time goes on.

What is Opera Music?

Opera music is a genre of music that is characterized by its grandiose, dramatic and emotional style. It is often associated with the high culture of classical music and has been used in many horror movies to create an atmosphere of suspense, fear and dread.

While some people may find opera music to be inaccessible or even pretentious, there is no denying its ability to evoke strong emotions. In fact, it is precisely this emotional power that has made it such a popular choice for filmmakers looking to ramp up the scares.

Some of the most iconic scenes in horror cinema have been accompanied by operatic tunes, and the genre has become synonymous with the macabre and the sinister. If you’re a fan of horror movies, then chances are you’ve already heard some opera music without even realizing it.

So, why does opera music work so well in horror movies? There are a few reasons. Firstly, opera tends to be very melodramatic, which fits perfectly with the over-the-top nature of many horror films. Secondly, it is often quite bombastic and operatic numbers can easily create a sense of foreboding or unease.

And finally, opera singers often have very powerful voices that can be used to great effect when conveying fear or terror. In short, opera music is the perfect choice for any filmmaker looking to add an extra level of suspense or horror to their movie.

How Opera Music is Used in Horror Movies

Opera music is often used in horror movies to set the tone and atmosphere of a scene. It can be used to make a scene more suspenseful, creepy, or even comical. In some cases, it may even be used diegetically, meaning that the characters in the movie can hear the opera music as well.

The Scream

The classic example of opera music being used in a horror movie is The Scream. In the scene where Drew Barrymore’s character is killed, the music playing in the background is an aria from the opera src=”https://open.spotify.com/embed/track/2zcnqJ7HnvqrvpsgpCkHL1″ width=”300″ height=”80″ frameborder=”0″ allowtransparency=”true”>.

This particular aria, “Der Hölle Rache”, is from Mozart’s The Magic Flute. It’s a very pretty piece of music, but it’s also quite eerie and menacing. The use of this music in The Scream perfectly sets the mood for the scene, and it’s become one of the most iconic uses of opera music in a horror movie.

The Ring

The Ring is a 2002 American supernatural horror film directed by Gore Verbinski and starring Naomi Watts. It is a remake of the 1998 Japanese film Ring, based on the novel of the same name by Koji Suzuki.

The Ring tells the story of a cursed videotape that kills anyone who watches it after seven days. The tape features an opera singer named Sadako Yamamura, who died after becoming pregnant with her lover’s child.

Verbinski wanted to use opera music in The Ring to create a feeling of dread and suspense. He chose to use the “Dies Irae” from Giuseppe Verdi’s Requiem, which is one of the most famous pieces of classical music.

The “Dies Irae” is traditionally used in Orthodox Christian funerals, and Verbinski thought it would be perfect for a scene in which a character dies. He also thought it would be ironic to use such a beautiful piece of music for a scene that is so horrific.

Opera music is often used in horror movies to create an atmosphere of terror and suspense. The Ring is just one example of how effective it can be.

The Omen

The Omen is a classic horror movie that terrified audiences when it was released in 1976. The film follows the story of a young boy named Damien, who is revealed to be the Antichrist. The movie is full of suspense and scares, but it’s the use of opera music that makes it truly chilling.

The most famous scene in The Omen is when Damien’s mother dies during childbirth. As she lays in her hospital bed, we hear the aria “Dies Irae” from Verdi’s Requiem playing in the background. This foreboding music sets the tone for the rest of the film, which is full of death and destruction.

Opera music is used throughout The Omen to create a sense of dread and foreboding. It’s used to heighten the suspense of scenes and make the viewer feel uncomfortable. The next time you watch a horror movie, pay attention to the music that’s being used. You may be surprised at how often opera music pops up!

Conclusion

While it may seem like an unlikely pairing, opera music and horror movies have a long-standing relationship. Opera music can add an air of sophistication to a film, or it can be used to heighten the suspense. In either case, it is clear that opera music has a place in the world of horror movies.