Schedule
HostsWays to Give
HomePlaylistSchedule
HostsEventsOn DemandOur StoryOur TeamWays to Give Become a Sponsor
How to ListenVisit Help CenterContact Us

Find Us on Social Media:

Logo image

Find Us on Social Media:

Download Our Mobile App:

google play icon

About

HomePlaylistSchedule
HostsOn DemandOur StoryOur Team

Community

EventsWays to Give Become a SponsorPressDiversity StatementCareersAnnual EEO ReportDigital Accessibility

Help

How to ListenVisit Help CenterContact Us

©2025 Classical California

Sweepstakes RulesFCC ComplianceLocal Public FilesCPB ComplianceAnnual EEO ReportPrivacy PolicyCode of Integrity

articles / Film/TV

Irony, Opera, and the Movies

Film/TVGuide to OperaPop CultureOpera

Julianne Moore stars in “Bel Canto”| Photo by Kenneth Willardt

In his article about the upcoming movie version of Ann Patchett’s novel Bel Canto, Michael Cooper makes the interesting point that it isn’t often that opera is used un-ironically in film. An aria on the soundtrack often signals the arrival of something or someone really, really evil.

But in Bel Canto, it will be different, because opera and the beautiful voice of the main character Roxanne Coss are central to the plot. Julianne Moore stars as the diva held hostage by terrorists in an unnamed South American country. In preparing for the role, she received some expert insights from soprano Renée Fleming, to whose recordings Moore will be lip-synching. Fleming’s voice on the soundtrack is a “coming-full-circle” moment for Patchett because she says it was Renee’s voice that she had in her mind and ear as she was writing the character.

You can read more about Bel Canto, lip-synching, Julianne Moore’s first opera experience, and more here. Bel Canto comes out in theaters September 14, 2018.

Film/TVGuide to OperaPop CultureOpera
Written by:
Dianne Nicolini
Dianne Nicolini
Published on 04.01.2019
Loading...

MORE LIKE THIS

Movies About Composers

Movies About Composers

Explore the portrayal of famous composers in films like Amadeus, The Great Waltz, A Song to Remember, and Copying Beethoven, and how these movies balance drama and historical accuracy.

03/03/2022
Fact or Fiction: The One and Only “Amadeus”

Fact or Fiction: The One and Only “Amadeus”

This article explores the historical inaccuracies in the 1984 film 'Amadeus', focusing on the portrayal of Mozart and Salieri's relationship and the rumor of Mozart's murder.

02/21/2022
Going Deep: Our Favorite Finds to Celebrate KUSC at the Movies

Going Deep: Our Favorite Finds to Celebrate KUSC at the Movies

Explore the magic of movie music with KUSC, featuring iconic film scores, trailers, and performances from renowned composers and musicians. Dive into the world of cinematic soundtracks.

01/28/2020
John Lithgow on the Fun of Playing Ogres—Fictional and Non

John Lithgow on the Fun of Playing Ogres—Fictional and Non

John Lithgow discusses his role as Roger Ailes in "Bombshell" and his approach to playing controversial figures. The film also stars Theron, Kidman, and Robbie.

12/17/2019
Theremin, Harp, and Shaky Strings: The Golden Globe Winning Music of “First Man”

Theremin, Harp, and Shaky Strings: The Golden Globe Winning Music of “First Man”

"Justin Hurwitz won the 2019 Golden Globe for Best Original Score for 'First Man'. The article discusses his collaboration with director Damien Chazelle and their journey from jazz to space."

04/01/2019
Tippi Hedren, Marnie, and the Met

Tippi Hedren, Marnie, and the Met

"Tippi Hedren, star of Hitchcock's film, attended the Metropolitan Opera premiere of Nico Muhly’s opera Marnie, based on Winston Graham's 1961 novel. Now 88, Hedren continues her wildlife preservation work."

04/01/2019