On film, characters go to the opera house for meetings, espionage, or murder; operas can bring about moments of revelation, connection, or catharsis. They progress the plot or add texture to the lived-in dimensions of the film’s world. But the best uses of opera in film boost something under the surface, and even add additional layers to the opera. Here are nights at the opera in 12 very different films that use the form successfully for their artistic ends.
The Best Opera Scenes in Film
How movie directors use the form to deepen world and character
