Opera & Film
Join Seattle Opera and SIFF for an exploration of the intersection of opera and film, both as a medium to uniquely present opera but also as a global exploration of cultural storytelling through musical expression. Through five film screenings, participants will journey from Powell & Pressburger’s classic Tales of Hoffmann to Beyonce’s visual song cycle of Lemonade, with stops in France (The Umbrellas of Cherbourg), China (Farewell My Concubine), and India (global phenomenon Dilwale Dulhania La Jayenge).
This class series features a special online Zoom introduction session on Tuesday, March 12 followed by five in-person film screenings at SIFF Film Center for the following Tuesday sessions. Each film will be preceded by a short contextual lecture and followed by an audience discussion and Q&A.
Opera & Film: The Tales of Hoffmann
United Kingdom | 1951 | 127 min. | Michael Powell, Emeric Pressburger
March 19, 2024
A melancholy poet reflects on three women he loved and lost in the past: a mechanical performing doll, a Venetian courtesan, and the consumptive daughter of a celebrated composer. Presented in partnership with Seattle Opera, this screening will be preceded by a short contextual lecture and followed by an audience discussion and Q&A.
Opera & Film: The Umbrellas of Cherbourg
France | 1964 | 93 min. | Jacques Demy
March 26, 2024
A young woman separated from her lover by war faces a life-altering decision. Presented in partnership with Seattle Opera, this screening will be preceded by a short contextual lecture and followed by an audience discussion and Q&A.
Opera & Film: Farewell My Concubine
China | 1993 | 171 min. | Chen Kaige
April 2, 2024
Two boys meet at an opera training school in Peking in 1924. Their resulting friendship will span nearly 70 years and endure some of the most troublesome times in China's history. Presented in partnership with Seattle Opera. This screening is co-presented with Rose Jang of Seattle Hwa Sheng Chinese Opera Club, and will be preceded by a short contextual lecture and followed by an audience discussion and Q&A.
Opera & Film - Beyoncé: Lemonade
USA | 2016 | 65 min. | Beyonce, Mark Romanek
April 9, 2024
A view of a woman's journey through life. Presented in partnership with Seattle Opera. This screening is co-presented with Myah Rose Paden from Classical KING and will be preceded by a short contextual lecture and followed by an audience discussion and Q&A.
Opera & Film: Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge
India | 1995 | 190 min. | Aditya Chopra
April 16, 2024
From Europe's picturesque cityscapes to Punjab's vibrant yellow flower fields, Raj and Simran's soul-stirring love conquers everything, except for a disapproving patriarch's heart. Presented in partnership with Seattle Opera. This screening is co-presented with Rita Meher from Tasveer and will be preceded by a short contextual lecture and followed by an audience discussion and Q&A.