This is going to be a geeky post that I need to get off my chest after 3 years of holding it in. I don't know if Oda has ever talked about what inspired him when writing Brook's backstory, but it's always reminded me of the final scene from Dialogues of the Carmelites. I remember reading Brook's backstory and not crying because I was more intrigued by the similarities. I just remember telling myself, "this is Carmelites." Oda does reference other media in One Piece, and because Brook is a musician, it wouldn't be far fetched to say that he did some research on composers or works to use. Dialogues of the Carmelites is an opera, and if you want some DRAMA, you research some opera. The anime's handling of it only makes me feel more like either Oda has seen Carmelites or he researched it.
Some background information on Carmelites: Dialogues of the Carmelites is an opera with score and libretto by Francis Poulenc. The story is a fictionalized version of the execution of the Carmelite nuns of Compiègne in 1794, just 10 days before the execution of Robespierre, which ended the Reign of Terror. 16 nuns were executed by guillotine. 3 of them were not there when the nuns were arrested, so they survived. 1 of them wrote an account of the execution that was published in 1836. This inspired Gertrude von le Fort to write a novella in 1931. Then, a film was developed in 1947 with George Bernanos in charge of writing the dialogue. The film was not finalized before Bernanos' death (a film was finally released in 1960), but it was staged as a play. After this play, Poulenc wrote the opera that premiered in 1957.
The similarities between Brook's backstory and Carmelites are when the Rumbar Pirates sing Binks' Sake for the last time and the Carmelites sing Salve Regina (Hail, Holy Queen) before their execution. One Piece takes the lighter route because that Salve Regina is not for the weak, but the concept is the same. The voices of the Carmelites fade one by one as they are executed until there is only one left singing. Just like the Rumbar Pirates, with Brook being the last one left. In Brook's backstory, you can hear the sound effect of the bodies dropping one by one. In Carmelites, Poulenc actually wrote the sound of a guillotine into the score. Productions handle this differently. Some just play a recording of a guillotine on the desired beats, some have their percussionists get creative with an instrument, and some have the shop guys make something. The sisters disappear off stage, go behind a screen, or just drop to the floor in more minimalist productions. The point is that, in both works, there is a sound effect before that voice fades away. Neither of the protagonists gets to finish their song either. Brook drops to the floor before the final cadence, the final chord. Blanche de la Force actually starts singing Veni Creator Spiritus (offering of one's life to God) once she's the last one left. She sings "in saeculorum saecula" (forever and ever) in saeculorum.... Then, you hear the last sound of the guillotine, and that's the end of the show. She never gets to sing "Amen."
Why do I think Oda referenced this? Because Brook is a musician, opera has the drama to fit into a tragic One Piece backstory, and because Carmelites is one of the few 20th/21st century operas that has remained relevant on the international stage. It's studied in Music History classes and Opera Literature classes, especially that last scene, so I think it's possible that he came across it when researching. If he's seen it himself, he was probably moved by that last scene. Especially because, after the first sound of the guillotine when the first sister is executed, Poulenc actually bumps up the dynamic and the nuns start to sing louder. It's said that they did not show fear at their execution, so I don't think that's what Poulenc wanted to convey with that. I think he wanted to convey their strength in faith, to pray louder in the imminent face of death. This is a theme that fits perfectly with One Piece, especially with the Will of D and the D members smiling when facing death, so I think that scene would resonate with Oda.
When I was first reading One Piece, I had only seen recordings of Carmelites on YouTube. I finally cried when I watched it in sub for the first time. It's hard to cry when you're reading because you can't hear the music. I actually got to see Carmelites live for the first time last year, and it's an experience that will always stay with me. When the last chord fades, you usually start clapping for curtain call. Not with Carmelites. Everybody was perfectly quiet and still for a while before you actually felt everybody exhale and then finally clap. This time watching the dub, I cried, but not as much as last time, probably because I have that Carmelites experience under my belt now. I did go back to read up on it and listened to Salve Regina and bawled my eyes out though.
If Oda has written about this, and he did not base it on Carmelites, it's my headcanon and I'm running with it.
TLDR: Brook's backstory is my second favorite after Robin's because I think Oda based it on an opera I really like that made me cry, and Oda loves drama.
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