I am editing a video of WWII war footage to either opera or classical music. What are some iconic opera or classical songs of the era which would go along with the subject matter?

by camsprouse
origamitiger

So, in my estimation you're going to want to look at some of the following:

  1. Compositions that are based around the war itself: Here I'm thinking of things like Shostakovich 7, as well as his 8th String Quartet. It might also be valuable to look at something like Penderecki's Threnody for the Victims of Hiroshima. There are going to be many more, but those are a few that might be useful.

  2. Compositions that were written in reflection upon the first war. Here I'm picturing Britten's War Requiem, but there are a number of notable examples that you might like to look through.

  3. BONUS: Not opera or classical, but you might look at readings of poems from the First World War. The obvious starting point here is Dulce et Decorum Est by Wilfred Owen, but check some more out. It might also be useful, if you're looking for a somewhat surreal look, to go with pop-songs of the era such a Vera Lynn's The White Cliffs of Dover.

Good luck!