1987, dir. Dario Argento
with Cristina Marsillach, Ian Charleson, and Urbano Barberini.
107 min, 35mm
Set in Teatro Regio in Parma, during a production of Verdi's “Macbeth,” “Opera” is as infamous for the real-life misfortunes that plagued the filming as for its chilling scenes and elaborate production. After the actress playing Lady Macbeth is injured in a hit and run, her young understudy Betty (Marsillach) in the new production of the Scottish play, is thrown into the role. To her horror, she becomes the obsession of a masked killer, who demonstrates his love by binding Betty and taping needles under her eyelids, forcing her to watch each brutal murder take place.
Although fraught with misfortunes, including Argento's father Salvatore dying during the production, Vanessa Redgrave quitting the project before filming began, as well as on-set problems working with his former girlfriend and collaborator Daria Nicolodi “Opera” would become Dario Argento’s most successful feature, seen by more than 1.25 million theatergoers in Italy alone.Cast includes Daria Nicolodi, with a soundtrack composed by Claudio Simonetti (of Goblin) and Brian Eno.
Special Q&A with star Coralina Cataldi-Tassoni
