Opera in an Hour Movies

Introduce your students to opera with one of our Opera in an Hour Movies.

Opera in an Hour Movies are abridged versions of San Francisco Opera mainstage performances, that are available for free for teachers at educational institutions in the nine Bay Area counties to use in their classrooms. Lesson plans and educator materials are also available for each movie for a richer, deeper learning experience for students.

Opera in an Hour Movies, excluding Cinderella and The Girl of the Golden West, are sung in English with English subtitles.

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Carmen cast performing on stage

Bizet’s Carmen
This beloved opera tells the passionate tale of the alluring Gypsy girl Carmen, the Spanish soldier who loves her and the spirited bullfighter who comes between them. Recommended for ages 10 and up. View the trailer for this movie!

The Elixir of Love cast performing. A teacher is reading a book to children.

Donizetti’s The Elixir of Love
In this delightful comedy, the course of true love is made smooth by a “magic” potion. The production is set in Napa Valley circa 1915. Recommended for ages 5 and up. View the trailer for this movie!

The Magic Flute Opera with person playing flute to animals on stage

Mozart’s The Magic Flute
The story of a prince and a bird catcher’s journey to rescue a beautiful princess. Along the way they find their true loves and discover wisdom and forgiveness. Recommended for ages 5 and up. View the trailer for this movie!

Girl of the Golden West opera with a woman reading to a group of men.

Girl of the Golden West
In opera’s version of a classic Western, we meet a crafty criminal, a suspicious sheriff and a tough frontier woman with a tender heart. The dramatic love triangle is set in California during the Gold Rush. The opera is sung in Italian, with English subtitles and recommended for ages 8 and up. View the trailer for this movie!

Cinderella is wearing a white gown dancing with the prince as people watch.

Cinderella
With an open heart and determination, Cinderella triumphs over her mean-spirited relatives. The opera is sung in Italian with English subtitles and is recommended for ages 7 and up. View the trailer for this movie!

Barber of Seville singing in front of a wagon with wigs, mustaches and beards inside.

Rossini’s Barber of Seville
In this classic opera, Figaro, Seville's favorite barber, helps two young lovers find their happily ever after. Join them in a series of disguises, tricks and comic twists and turns. Recommended for ages 5 and up. View the trailer for this movie!