So many of us learned about opera and classical music from Looney Tunes, and didn’t even realize what was happening. We were LEARNING cool shit. Like Schoolhouse Rock.
Rabbit of Seville made me fall in love with the music of Rossini.
people talk about media literacy. we used to put iconic classical music in cartoons as bugs bunny destroyed a motherfucker with a frying pan and some shears and when that low/highbrow combination went away is when this country went to shit
Oh my good sir, YAAAAS! Well, that and What's Opera Doc is also an absolute banger. Disney may have introduced classical music with stunning visuals, But the likes of Chuck Jones took it another step further. Friz Freleng's Pigs In A Polka is also a great example of this.
About 40-45 years ago, when I was an adolescent, I was visiting my aunt & uncle in Santa Fe, New Mexico. My uncle started playing his record of The Barber of Seville, to which I immediately started whistling. He asked me how I knew the piece and was flabbergasted when I answered, "Bugs Bunny." 🙂
"I kiwwed 'da waahbit... I kiwwed 'da waahbit..." (sung to Ride of the Valkyries) Now that's some drama, my friend. Right up there with Marvin the Martian.
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Rabbit of Seville made me fall in love with the music of Rossini.