Dario Argento's OPERA

Dario Argento's OPERA aka TERROR AT THE OPERA (1987) is a movie that I consider his swan song. It is (to date) the last great Argento film and one where he seemingly tried to cram in all his trademarks from the convoluted storyline with a memory of a past event that isn't 100% clear to the wild kinetic camera work with some nice murder set-pieces for us gore hounds to the music ... this time by Goblin member Claudio Simonetti (along with a whole host of other composers and even some classical music).

There are basically two versions of the soundtrack and I present them both now for your enjoyment.

The first is a Japanese release (Cinevox SLCS 7156) that surprisingly has none of the Claudio Simonetti music on it but has most of the other music from the film including two great tracks by Bill Wyman & Terry Taylor and like the soundtrack to PHENOMENA this is the best stuff in the movie.

Track List for Cinevox SLCS 7156

01. Opera Theme (04:06)
Composed & performed by Bill Wyman & Terry Taylor
02. Balance (02:45)
Composed & performed by Roger Eno
03. No Escape (04:05)
Composed by J. Herlogsson & C. Mentzer; Performed by Norden Light
04. White Darkness (02:30)
Composed & performed by Roger Eno
05. Black Notes (02:34)
Composed & performed by Bill Wyman & Terry Taylor
06. From the Beginning (03:52)
Composed & performed by Brian Eno
07. Boys in the Night (04:35)
Composed & performed by Pino Daniele
08. Preludio dal "Macbeth" (03:30)
Composed by G. Verdi; Performed by Elisabeth Norberg Schulz, Andrea Piccini and Michele Pertusi
09. Coro di Streghe dal "Macbeth" (02:11)
Composed by G. Verdi; Performed by Elisabeth Norberg Schulz, Andrea Piccini and Michele Pertusi
10. Gran Scena e Duetto dal "Macbeth" (05:32)
Composed by G. Verdi; Performed by Elisabeth Norberg Schulz, Andrea Piccini and Michele Pertusi
11. Scena e Cavatina dal "Macbeth" (08:21)
Composed by G. Verdi; Performed by Elisabeth Norberg Schulz, Andrea Piccini and Michele Pertusi
12. Un Bel di Vedremo dalla "Madame Butterfly" (04:26)
Composed by G. Puccini; Performed by Mirella Freni
13. Casta Diva dalla "Norma" (06:43)
Composed by V. Bellini; Performed by Maria Callas
14. Sempre Libera Degg'io da "La Traviata" (02:13)
Composed by G. Verdi; Performed by Maria Callas

Total Duration: 00:57:23

Download: Cinevox SLCS 7156 CD release (320 CBR MP3)
Download: Cinevox SLCS 7156 CD release (Lossless FLAC)

Now the second major CD release (Anchor Bay DV11854) was included with a limited edition DVD from Anchor Bay Entertainment (USA DVD release). This CD contains Claudio Simonetti's complete score and two songs by the group "Steel Grave".

Track List for Anchor Bay DV11854

01. Opera (02:23)
Claudio Simonetti
02. Crows (02:44)
Claudio Simonetti
03. Impending Danger (01:47)
Claudio Simonetti
04. Confusion (03:28)
Claudio Simonetti
05. Steel Grave (03:13)
Steel Grave
06. Cosmo (03:48)
Claudio Simonetti
07. Knights of the Night (02:50)
Steel Grave
08. Crows (03:11)
Claudio Simonetti
09. Days of Confusion (03:53)
Claudio Simonetti
10. Impending Danger (01:48)
Claudio Simonetti
11. Opera (04:35)
Daemonia
12. Albinoni in Rock (04:43)
Claudio Simonetti
13. I'll Take the Night (05:12)
Claudio Simonetti
14. To Frederica (03:10)
Claudio Simonetti

Total Duration: 00:46:45

Download: Anchor Bay DV11854 CD release (320 CBR MP3)
Download: Anchor Bay DV11854 CD release (Lossless FLAC)

The following applies to both of the OPERA downloads: Please note that I originally ripped this using EAC (Exact Audio Copy) to the FLAC audio format then I used foobar2000 to convert the FLAC audio files to MP3 files. I used LAME 3.98.2 with the "-b 320" setting which basically creates a 320kbps CBR MP3 file which is the highest quality MP3 that can be made. I have included the LOG and CUE files from EAC so that you know the ripping was done correctly and of course this facilitates burning back to a standard music CD if you so wish. I also threw in a M3U playlist file.

I've also included "custom made" artwork for the covers. This is due to the fact that I lost the artwork and case to the Japanese release (thankfully though I didn't lose the CD itself) and of course the Anchor Bay release came with no standard CD artwork as it came in a DVD style box. The images above are what I came up with so I hope you all like what I made. I'm no graphic designer LOL

Please enjoy and until next time ... listen until your ear's bleed !!!

*** UPDATE ***
As of July 28, 2010 I added links to Lossless FLAC versions. Enjoy!