Super Mario 64 Music: “Opera”
Contents
Operator is one of the many bosses found in Super Mario 64. He is a large, orange, opera singer-like creature who resides in Big Boo’s Haunt.
Introduction
Opera is a music genre that originated in Italy in the late 16th century. It is one of the most popular genres of music, and is enjoyed by people all over the world. Opera is characterized by its grandiose, emotions, and its use of classical instruments such as violins and pianos.
In the game Super Mario 64, there is a track called “Opera” which plays during the cutscene in which Princess Peach invites Mario to come eat cake at her castle. This track has all of the characteristics of opera music, and is a great example of the genre.
“Opera”
“Opera” is a musical piece from the video game Super Mario 64. The piece has been praised for its catchy melody and its use of leitmotif, and has been called one of the best video game songs of all time.
Themes
Themes are the overarching ideas and feelings that a piece of art communicates. The theme of a work can be stated in a single word (love, death, betrayal), or it can be more complicated or nuanced. Themes are often universal—they can apply to anyone, anywhere, at any time—but they can also be specific to an artist’s culture and time period.
One of the most famous examples of a theme in classical music is Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s “Requiem in D minor.” This work was written to commemorate the death of Mozart’s friend and fellow composer Franz Xaver Süssmayr. The theme of death is evident in both the title and the music itself, which is somber and melancholic.
Other common themes in classical music include love, nature, war, and loss.
Melodies
There are various distinct melodies heard throughout “Opera”, most of which are reused later in the game. The first and most prominent melody is a series of notes that descend in pitch, which plays during the main verses and the chorus. A recurring motif heard throughout the piece is a downward arpeggio followed by a series of eighth notes that descend in chromatic fashion. This is first heard during the introduction and returns several times, sometimes playing in a higher register.
Reception
“Opera”, also known as “Piranha Plant’s Lullaby”, is a song from Super Mario 64. It is heard in Tiny-Huge Island, inside of the Tiny-Huge Island’s Cannon.
The song has been praised by fans and critics alike. IGN praised the song, stating that it “may be one of the most beautiful and eerie tracks in any videogame, past or present.” They also said that the “chilling soprano vocals fit the game’s strange atmosphere perfectly.” 1UP.com also praised the song, saying that it was “hauntingly beautiful”.
“Dire, Dire Docks”
The music that plays in Dire, Dire Docks in Super Mario 64 is called “Opera”. It is a remix of the original water level music from Super Mario Bros. The original music was composed by Koji Kondo.
Themes
“Dire, Dire Docks” is a course in Super Mario 64 and its remake, Super Mario 64 DS. It is the third course of Cool, Cool Mountain and the first water-themed course of the game. The course is set inside a giant sunken pirate ship and its main quest is to simply enter it and retrieve a Power Star from within.
The music of “Dire, Dire Docks” consists primarily of an arrangement of “Eine kleine Nachtmusik” by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, with some added original tracks. In the ending credits of Super Mario 64 DS, an 8-bit version of the original “Eine kleine Nachtmusik” can be heard playing.
Melodies
“Dire, Dire Docks” is the name of the sixth course of Super Mario 64 and its remake, Super Mario 64 DS. The course takes place underwater in a sunken ship and has a peaceful relaxing melody that becomes more intense as the player enters different areas.
There are two parts to the music: an introduction and the main theme. The introduction plays when Mario first enters the course, and is a slow and calm melody with a watery sound effect in the background. The main theme plays when Mario enters the main area of the course, and is a faster-paced and more upbeat melody with a similar watery sound effect in the background.
Both parts of the music are composed by Koji Kondo, and both parts feature vocals by Jesahm Goh. The lyrics to the main theme are as follows:
Dire, dire docks
Where we set sail for adventure
Abandon all ships
All ye who enter here!
Reception
Critics have praised the music in “Super Mario 64”, with some particularly lauding the composition of “Dire, Dire Docks”. In his review of the game, Next Generation said that it contained “some of the most varied and beautiful music ever heard in a video game”. GameSpot’s Peter Bartholow commented that the game’s soundtrack is “one of the best ever”. In their year-end awards for 1996, GameSpot awarded the game’s music with the Best Song on a Cartridge award.
“Beneath the Surface”
When one thinks of the Super Mario series, they think of classic tracks like the “Overworld Theme” or “Bowser’s Castle”. These tracks are iconic and have been cemented in our memories since we were children. However, there is one particular track from Super Mario 64 that often gets overlooked: “Opera”. This track is unique, beautiful, and haunting all at the same time. Let’s take a closer look at what makes this track so special.
Themes
Opera, also known as Beneath the Surface, is a music track composed by Koji Kondo for Super Mario 64. It is the original theme for Peach’s Castle and is heard throughout the game when players are exploring the castle grounds. The track has been described as being “bouncy” and “catchy”, with a “jazzy” melody. It is one of the most popular songs from Super Mario 64, and has been reused in several subsequent games in the series.
Melodies
Melodies in “Opera” are mostly derived from previous Mario games. For instance, the main melody is based on the “Overworld Theme” from Super Mario Bros., while the melody that accompanies Peach’s singing is based on her character theme from Super Mario Bros. 2. Other melodies include those heard in the “Overworld Theme” from Super Mario World and “Athletic Theme” from Super Mario Bros. 3.
Reception
Reception for the game’s music was positive. In a feature article, GamePro applauded the game’s “fantastic orchestrated sound and digital effects”, and praised theopera piece in particular as “just one of the inspired audio tracks”. In IGN’s “Top 25 Best Game Soundtracks”, Super Mario 64’s soundtrack was ranked at number 10.
Conclusion
“Opera” is one of the most beautiful and moving pieces of music in Super Mario 64. It’s a perfect example of how video game music can be emotionally powerful and evocative.
The piece is fairly simple, consisting of a repeated melody in the left hand, with accompaniment in the right hand. The chords are mostly simple major and minor chords, with a few more complex chords thrown in for color. The overall effect is one of serenity and calm, with a hint of bittersweet nostalgia.
It’s worth noting that “Opera” is one of the few pieces of music in Super Mario 64 that isn’t based on an existing folk song or classical piece. It was composed specifically for the game, and it perfectly captures the feeling of exploration and wonder that is at the heart of Super Mario 64.
