Opera Music in Spectre: A Review
Contents
If you’re a fan of classical music, then you’ll definitely want to check out the new James Bond movie, Spectre. The film features some beautiful opera music throughout, and we’ve got a review of it for you right here.
Introduction
The 24th film in the James Bond series, Spectre, was released in October 2015 to mixed reviews. One of the aspects of the film that was widely praised was its score, composed by Thomas Newman. The score made significant use of opera music, with several well-known arias appearing throughout the film. In this article, we will take a look at how opera music was used in Spectre, and what effect it had on the film as a whole.
Spectre is a fast-paced action movie, and as such, it calls for an equally fast-paced score. Thomas Newman’s use of opera music helps to create this sense of urgency and excitement. In particular, the famous aria “Nessun dorma” from Puccini’s Turandot is used to great effect in a key scene near the end of the film. Other operatic pieces used in the film include “La donna รจ mobile” from Verdi’s Rigoletto and “O mio babbino caro” from Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi.
While some critics have accused Spectre of using opera music as an easy way to add gravitas and emotion to scenes that might otherwise be lacking in those department, others have praised Newman for his clever and innovative use of such well-known pieces. Ultimately, whether or not you enjoy the use of opera music in Spectre will come down to personal preference. However, there is no denying that Newman’s score is one of the highlights of the film.
The Sound of Spectre
The Opening Scene
The opening scene of Spectre is one of the most hotly anticipated moments in the film. Not only does it reunite Daniel Craig’s James Bond with Christoph Waltz’s Franz Oberhauser, but it also features one of the most impressive displays of opera music ever put to film.
The music in the scene is from Giuseppe Verdi’s “Requiem,” and it is used to perfection. The scene opens with a tracking shot of the audience at an opera performance, and as the camera pans across the room, the music swells. It is a beautiful moment, and it sets the tone for the film perfectly.
The use of opera in Spectre is not limited to just this one scene, however. Throughout the film, there are several moments where opera is used to add tension or drama to a scene. In one particularly effective scene, Bond is chasing down a target while operatic music plays in the background. The music adds an element of suspense to the scene and makes it all the more thrilling.
Overall, the use of opera music in Spectre is masterful. It enhances some of the best scenes in the film and helps to create a truly unique and memorable Bond experience.
The Action Scenes
The opening scenes of “Spectre” are some of the best in the film, with plenty of action and excitement. The music in these scenes is very well done, and helps to set the tone for the rest of the film. The fight scene in particular is very well done, with some great music to accompany it.
The Romance Scenes
The most beautiful and romantic moments in Sam Mendes’ “Spectre” come courtesy of composer Thomas Newman and his use of opera. In two key scenes, the music helps elevate the emotions to new heights, making for some truly memorable cinema.
The first instance comes early on in the film, during a stunning tracking shot that sees Bond (Daniel Craig) travelling by boat through a crowded Venetian canal. as he weaves his way through the sea of people and gondolas, he’s keeping tabs on his target, Lucia Sciarra (Monica Bellucci). The gorgeous score swells as Lucia enters an opera house, with Newman’s music perfectly capturing the grandiose atmosphere of the venue.
It’s a breathtaking sequence that is made all the more special by the use of opera. There’s something about the art form that instantly adds a sense of romance and passion to a scene, and Newman uses it to great effect here. The music perfectly matches the opulent visuals, making for one of the most visually and musically arresting scenes in the film.
The second instance comes during another key moment in the film, when Bond finally comes face to face with Lucia’s husband, Marco Sciarra (Alessandro Cremona). The two men have a heated exchanged, with both men clearly harbouring a great deal of anger and resentment towards each other. However, as they talk, the strains of an opera can be heard playing in the background.
Once again, Newman’s score helps to heighten the emotions of the scene, with the music adding an extra layer of drama and intensity to proceedings. It’s a masterful use of opera that helps to make this already tense scene even more gripping and atmospheric.
Opera has been used in films before, most notably in Francis Ford Coppola’s “The Godfather” trilogy and Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator”, but it’s rare to see it used as effectively as it is here in “Spectre”. Newman has crafted two incredibly beautiful pieces of music that perfectly capture the romance and passion of Mendes’ film.
The Visuals of Spectre
Visually, Spectre is stunning. The colors, the lighting, and the camera work are all top-notch. Even the title sequence, which is just a series of abstract shapes, is beautiful. And the music is great, too.
The Opening Scene
The opening scene shows Bond at a Day of the Dead festival in Mexico City. He’s wearing a traditional Mexican poncho and sombrero, and he’s surrounded by brightly-colored decorations, flowers, and people in costumes. The music is fast-paced and features traditional Mexican instruments like mariachi horns and guitars. It sets the tone for the rest of the movie, which is full of action and suspense.
The Action Scenes
The different action scenes in Spectre are all beautifully choreographed and set to stirring music. In the opening sequence, we see James Bond (played by Daniel Craig) engaged in a high-speed car chase through the narrow streets of Rome. The music here is upbeat and thrilling, providing an appropriate backdrop to the on-screen action.
Later in the film, we see Bond infiltrating a secret meeting of Spectrum, the evil organization he has been tasked with taking down. The music here is more subdued, lending an air of suspense to the scene.
Finally, the film’s climax sees Bond engaged in a pulse-pounding battle atop a moving train. The music here is once again suitably adrenaline-fueling, making for an exciting and edge-of-your-seat finale.
All in all, the music in Spectre enhances the visuals of the film to great effect, helping to create an immersive and deeply engaging cinematic experience.
The Romance Scenes
In the film’s opening scenes, during a spectacular evening at an opera house in Mexico City, we see James Bond (Daniel Craig) in the shadows, elegantly outfitted in a tuxedo, following his target. The object of his surveillance is Marco Sciarra (Alessandro Cremona), a member of a terrorist organization called Spectre. As the two men move through the crowd, they are unaware that they are being watched by Bond’s superior, M (Ralph Fiennes), who is also in attendance.
The music in this scene is “Nessun dorma” from Giacomo Puccini’s Turandot. This aria, which means “None shall sleep,” is sung by Calaf, the prince who has fallen in love with the ice princess Turandot and is determined to win her heart. The music is beautiful and romantic, and it sets the tone for the rest of the film.
As Bond follows Sciarra, we see glimpses of him interacting with other members of Spectre. We also see him attending a meeting of this secret society, where he meets its leader, Franz Oberhauser (Christoph Waltz). We learn that Spectre is behind many of the world’s greatest evils, and that it wants to control global security through terrorism.
The music during these scenes is “Dies Irae,” from Verdi’s Requiem. This piece, which means “Day of Wrath,” is about Judgment Day and it creates a feeling of foreboding and menace. It’s a perfect choice for scenes in which we learn about Spectre’s evil plans.
After killing Sciarra, Bond returns to his hotel room, where he finds that Lucia Sciarra (Monica Bellucci), Marco’s widow, has been waiting for him. They have a passionate night together, and the music during their lovemaking is “Besame Mucho,” a classic Latin love song. This sensual melody reflects the erotic mood of the scene and helps to create an intimate connection between Bond and Lucia.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the opera music in Spectre is absolutely stunning. While it may not be to everyone’s taste, it is definitely worth a listen. The music itself is beautifully composed and performed, and the overall atmosphere of the film is enhanced by its presence. If you are a fan of opera, or even if you’re not, I would highly recommend giving this film a chance.
