`The Fly' Opera is Buzz of Paris Season

ABC 7 ^ | 07.01.2008 | ABC 7

[Coffee200am]

Be afraid, be very afraid: David Cronenberg's 1986 horror flick, "The Fly," has undergone a bizarre metamorphosis. It's now an opera. The new incarnation, with tenor Placido Domingo conducting a score by Oscar-winning composer Howard Shore ("The Lord of the Rings"), isn't as gory as the movie. Audiences will be spared close-ups of the title character's fingernails falling off as he makes the transition from mild-mannered scientist to giant insect.

Still, for an opera, it's pretty scary - even if there are touches of dark humor. Giggles broke out among those invited to Monday's dress rehearsal when a mezzo-soprano belted out the film's catchphrase: "Be afraid. Be very afraid."

Cronenberg, who is directing the opera, wasn't sure what effect it would have.

ABC 7 News myTAKE - What's Your Opinion? "Someone's 6-year-old said, after seeing one of our rehearsals, that she thought she would have to sleep with her parents for a while," he told reporters. "So I guess it's working."

[Natchez Hawk]

Great film.

Have not arm-wrestled since viewing.

[rockinqsranch]

Such coincidence. I was just thinking about flies, and how they must have been the unintended consequence of some well meaning negotiation between Heaven and Hades.

Never saw “The Fly”, but for years was aware of the phrase “Be afraid, Be very afraid”. So now I know.

Learn something new everyday at FR. Well worth sending in those contributions to keep learning.

I hate flies.

[Psycho_Bunny]

“Where does Major League Baseball get off suing anyone for infringement? They stole long and boring from opera.”

[ravingnutter]

I loved the original movie with Vincent Price, the remake with Jeff Goldblum was terrible, as it is with most remakes {sigh...}