Here are 9 Halloween-worthy operas to get you in the mood for this spooky season!

Lucia di Lammermoor - Donizetti

This tragic love story holds one of the most iconic bits of coloratura repertoire and one of the most visually recognizable scenes in all of opera. While it may not be a “spooky” opera for the first two acts, the famous Mad Scene in act 3 has just enough gore to land this tragedy a spot on the list.

Here’s a production from the Teatro Lirico di Cagliari in 2004.

The Orchestre Philharmonique de Nice also has a great staging from 2006 available here.

2. Macbeth - Verdi

This story sets itself up perfectly for a spooky experience - it opens on a scene of three witches and dives directly into a story of prophecy, murder, and thirst for power. Tag on the superstition attached to the original Shakespeare play, and you’ve got a perfect opera to get you in the witchy mood for Halloween!

Here’s a production by La Scala in 1976.

For a more modern take (with English Supertitles), check out this production from Opernhaus Zürich in 2001.

3. Don Giovanni - Mozart

This work may not come to mind immediately when thinking of scary operas. On the other hand, you may not be into the existentialism and gore that other operas in this list provide. If you prefer a good story with a spooky scene or two, this is the opera for you. Getting dragged to hell to atone for your sins? The perfect ending to this Mozart classic, if you ask me.

For a modern take from the Festival International d'Art Lyrique d'Aix-en-Provence with labeled scenes from 2017, click here.

Here’s a classic production from the Salzburger Festspiele in 1987.

And for good measure, here’s one with English supertitles.

4. The Medium - Menotti

This work by Menotti plays with the mind. As faux medium Madame Flora guides her guest through her usual tricks and deceptions, she suddenly feels a hand touch her. The catch is, it wasn’t any of her guests. Thus, her spiral into madness commences. This opera is a great pick if you like a little madness and an ending that leaves you asking more questions than answers.

Here’s a minimalist production from BMSM Opera Theatre’s 2019 production.

If you’re into black-and-white movies, this one directed by Menotti himself might be the perfect choice for you!

5. Bluebeard’s Castle - Bartok

Really, what’s spookier than existentialism? This two-person opera takes an abstract approach to the experience of facing what may lie in a lover’s past. A normal lover’s past is one thing, but what do you do if your lover’s past is revealed to be increasingly bloodstained?

This version is the Duke film from 1998.

The London Philharmonic played for this production, which comes with Italian supertitles, in 1992.

Turn of the Screw - Britten

This story has inspired countless horror movies, including The Innocents and The Haunting of Bly Manor. This eerie tale has all of the components of a great horror story: children, ghosts, and a home with a dark past. Add in a nanny that can’t tell if the children are in danger or if she’s going mad, and you’ve got a story that’s more than fit for this our spookiest holiday.

This production from the Schwetzingen Festival in 1990 comes in two separate acts (Act 1, Act 2).

For a more modern take, check out this production from Opéra de Lyon in 2014

7. Robert le Diable - Meyerbeer

This opera centers on the son of the Princess of Normandy and her lover, the devil. Robert le Diable follows the lead through misfortune and a fight to win his lover’s hand, all while being pursued by the spirits of hell. Also, there’s a scene featuring a ballet number performed by the spirits of dead nuns. Enjoy!

This production by L'Opera de Paris in 1984 is presented in three separate parts (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3).

8. The Lighthouse - Davies

Inspired by a true story, this eerie story focuses on the traceless disappearance of a lighthouse crew. The first act lays out the investigation into their disappearance. The second act, however, takes us back to see what really took place for these three long-gone crewmen. How can one leave an island without a boat, supplies, or a trace?

Here’s a production by Berkeley Contemporary Opera in 1993.

Mefistofele - Arrigo Boito

Boito’s take on the origin story of the Faustian Bargain is the perfect way to top of this list - one of the main characters is the devil himself, after all. Mix in some poison and a witches’ orgy and you’ve got Mefistofile. Strap in, because this story is a wild ride.

Here’s a production by Pacific Northwest Opera from their 2019 season.

Happy viewing, & an even happier (and spookier) Halloween from Opera NexGen. Enjoy (if you dare)!

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