Opera House (Final Fantasy VI)

It has been suggested that this article be merged into Celes Chere. (Discuss) Proposed since March 2024.

Opera House
Celes sings during the opera segment of the level in Final Fantasy VI Advance, with lyrics shown on screen.
Created by	Square
Genre	Fantasy
In-universe information
Type	Opera house
Location	Jidoor

The Opera House is a level in the 1994 role-playing video game Final Fantasy VI developed by Square. Taking place partway through the game, it occurs when the game's characters require an airship, the only one of its kind, owned by the adventurer and gambler Setzer. The character Celes, a former Imperial general, is a near-double of a famous opera diva named Maria, who Setzer is planning to kidnap during a performance. The characters plan for Celes to switch places with Maria, causing her to be kidnapped in Maria's place and allowing the others to sneak aboard the airship and convince Setzer to let them use it. During the opera, "Maria and Draco", Celes "sings" the song "Aria di Mezzo Carattere" in a cutscene, before the opera is attacked by the recurring antagonist and monster Ultros, forcing the other characters to stage a rescue.

The Opera House level is considered by critics to be an early example of "games as art", praised for its gameplay, sprite artwork and music, and Celes' performance is seen as of the most iconic and memorable cutscenes in gaming history, noted for the strong emotions evoked in players despite hardware limitations.^[1]