u/micpoc

Hello. I am searching for information about music used in the opening credit sequence of the 1981 film Diva by Jean-Jacques Beineix. I am NOT asking about the aria from La Wally sung by the titular soprano but, rather, the music being listened to by the male lead, Jules, while riding on his moped. It is heard immediately with the opening credits, ends after about forty seconds (when he turns the music off), and a few minutes later when he is riding the elevator up to his apartment (might not be the same piece of music).

Since Jules is an avowed opera fan, I have always assumed that this music is from an opera but, other than a few arias and overtures, I am unfamiliar with the repertoire. It does not appear on the soundtrack album and, since most of the other pieces by the film's composer Vladimir Cosma DO appear, I figure it is a safe guess they were not composed for the film. I have attached a video clip of the first segment that I hope is both playable and not in violation of any sub rules; I can try to upload the second one as well, if anyone is curious.

There appear to be a few different types used in the title and end pages, but even the score (published in 1899, I believe) has multiples. Any insight on these fonts, particularly the ones in the score itself?

"Johnny Marr is preparing to auction off about 80 of his guitars, including the Rickenbacker heard on This Charming Man.

Marr has partnered with Christie’s for the auction, which will take place on 17 September in London, with the collection – including amps and other equipment – available for the public to view in London and New York prior to the sale.

The star lots include a 1982 Rickenbacker 330 Jetglo, whose top estimate price of £80,000 reflects its indie music pedigree: as well as This Charming Man, it can be heard on What Difference Does It Make?, Still Ill, and Accept Yourself, and was also lent out to Noel Gallagher: it appears on the cover of Oasis’s debut single Supersonic. (It wasn’t used for the distinctive opening riff of This Charming Man, though, which was played on a 1950s Telecaster.)

The acoustic guitar heard on timeless Smiths ballad There Is a Light That Never Goes Out is also up for sale: a 1971 Martin D-28 (estimate: £30,000-50,000), which can also be heard on Cemetry Gates.

The highest top estimate price is £150,000, for a 1960 Cherry Red Gibson ES-355, bought for Marr by music industry legend Seymour Stein. Marr had joked to Stein that the Smiths would sign to Stein’s Sire Records if Marr was given a new guitar and Stein duly followed through. It became a signature guitar for Marr, who played it on Top of the Pops."

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2026/jun/22/johnny-marr-auction-guitars-smiths-this-charming-man-christies-london

Recorded June 29, 1954... seems like a worthy title to listen to today.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCcys7FIhis

Over the years, when tragedy hit—a school shooting, an attack on the U.S. Capitol, some fresh injury to their faith in the country—people felt steadied at 11:35. They heard their fears, grief, bewilderment and convictions reflected back to them with clarity, humor and care. And there are those who take comfort at moments of intense pain from having heard Stephen talk about loss: “It’s a gift to exist,” he told Anderson Cooper in a conversation about grief, “and with existence comes suffering. There’s no escape from that. But if you are grateful for your life, then you have to be grateful for all of it.”

https://www.johndickerson.com/p/stephen-colbert