Queen's Rock Operatic Legacy: Exploring Flash and Bohemian Rhapsody
Most fans of Queen are familiar with their flamboyant stage presence, innovative music, and seminal contributions to the rock genre. While Queen is primarily recognized for their hit singles and energetic performances, their influence extends beyond the boundaries of pop and hard rock. Two of their most notable tracks, Flash and Bohemian Rhapsody, showcase elements of rock opera, a form of musical storytelling that blends the narrative and musical techniques of opera with rock instrumentation. This article delves into these two tracks and their place in the rock opera tradition.
Rock Opera: An Introduction
Rock opera refers to a narrative work that utilizes rock music elements, including lyrics, instrumentation, and production, to tell a story. It combines the emotional and dramatic depth of opera with the musical and rhythmic diversity of rock. Unlike traditional operas, rock operas usually consist of a continuous piece of music divided into movements or songs rather than discrete arias or recitatives. A rock opera can be composed of a single song or an extended musical narrative spanning multiple tracks.
The Rock Opera as a Narrative Form
A rock opera typically tells a complete story through a series of interconnected songs, with each track contributing to the overarching narrative. The narrative may be linear, with each song acting as a chapter in the story, or it may take a more episodic approach, with distinct stories or themes woven together. Key elements of rock operas include complex characters, a strong plot, and a clear emotional journey that engages the listener, much like traditional operas.
Flash: A Rock Opera in a Soundtrack
Flash is a single from the soundtrack to the 1981 movie Flash Gordon. This track perfectly showcases how Queen used their rock opera techniques to tell a story through their music. The song is structured like a narrative, with each section describing a different event from the film. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the hero’s journey, complete with battles, dreams, and adventures. It can be listened to in order, and the progression of the song—ranging from instrumental pieces to melodic ballads—mirrors the climactic events and emotional highs and lows of the storyline from the movie. In essence, Flash demonstrates how Queen constructed a rock opera within a soundtrack, intricately weaving a story through the music.
Bohemian Rhapsody: A Complex Operatic Masterpiece
Bohemian Rhapsody is undoubtedly one of Queen's most enduring and distinctive tracks, and it is often cited as an example of rock opera due to its complex structure and narrative content. However, while the song is a powerful evocation of a single moment of anguish and self-reflection, it is unfortunately not long enough to be considered a full-length rock opera. The track consists of four distinct sections: an introductory vocal, a piano interlude, a hard rock section, and a slow ballad. Each section is musically and emotionally compelling, but they don't coalesce into a continuous narrative as required by the rock opera format.
Despite its shortcomings as a full rock opera, Bohemian Rhapsody is a quintessential example of what rock opera strives to achieve. It captures the operatic elements of intense emotion and structural complexity, making it a significant contribution to the genre. The song's operatic qualities become evident in its range, from the emotive crooning at the beginning to the hard-hitting power chords and operatic wail at the end. The narrative of the song is about personal struggle and redemption, themes that are common in both opera and rock.
Combining Rock and Opera
While Flash and Bohemian Rhapsody may not be entire rock operas, they do demonstrate the potential for combining the lyrical and thematic elements of opera with the dynamic range and power of rock. In Flash, Queen successfully integrated a full narrative into a rock song, creating a cohesive and engaging listening experience that reflects the story from the movie. In Bohemian Rhapsody, although the track is not long enough to be a full rock opera, it still exhibits strong narrative qualities and operatic themes, making it a significant landmark in the genre.
Both songs are testaments to Queen's innovative approach to music and their ability to push the boundaries of their genre. While Flash is a complete rock opera within a soundtrack, Bohemian Rhapsody sets the standard for what a rock opera can achieve in a self-contained piece. These tracks are not only iconic in their own right but also serve as foundational examples of the rock opera genre.