Stephen Furst said he was a huge opera fan and that he would love to do opera. It stuck in my head and I kept looking for a place to have Londo and Vir sing Centauri opera. I never had a story to fit it in until I needed a first scene in ‘Knives’ before Ursa jumps on Londo. I said, ‘I’m going to have these characters sing opera. This is going to be funny, it’s going to be wonderful and charming.’ Stephen loved it because it was going to be opera. But Peter, well, Peter can’t really sing! It was a real stretch for him.
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Opera in "Knives"?
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Yeah. Apparently Chris Franke did put together the music for the scene, and the whole thing came from DiTillio interviewing the cast so he could work special little character moments into various episodes – this one was down to Furst being a big opera fan.
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Originally posted by Jan View PostHi Lensman,
Welcome aboard! Here's what's in the shooting script:
I've never compared the script to the actual singing but it looks about right.
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Originally posted by Towelmaster View PostWouldn't this be a fantastic question to actually ask jms himself?
The first of these was Stephen Furst’s abiding love of opera. I’d learned about this during one of our lunch conversations and it immediately attached itself to my brain. I had this vision of Londo and Vir belting out an aria from a Centauri opera together and it sent waves of delight through me. So strong was this delight I actually made a promise to them to get this scene into a script.
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Originally posted by Lensman View Postthanks for the warm welcome. i'm afraid i haven't been on the isn network that i remember, and gateworld is something I've never heard of. but if you play elite dangerous, you've seen me there....
Gateworld is a Stargate Fan community. I try to stop in there from time to time and at a minimum goose their Babylon 5 Forum a little bit.
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thanks for the warm welcome. i'm afraid i haven't been on the isn network that i remember, and gateworld is something I've never heard of. but if you play elite dangerous, you've seen me there....
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Welcome LENSMAN . . . .
. . . . . . Now where do I know you from? Your User ID choice seems very familiar to me. Is it ISN News Forums or Gateworld? . . . . Or am I insane?! I don't think it is the "insane" option, but then again I wouldn't would I and you may be counting on that.
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Hi Lensman,
Welcome aboard! Here's what's in the shooting script:
And with that Londo pauses and launches into a robust
rendition of a Centauri Opera tune.
LONDO
(song, con brio)
Kora, tiyano, tiyano di trova,
carpa andari, mestata di vool
After a few brief bars, Vir interrupts him.
VIR
Yes, yes, it's very commendable.
But can it stand beside
Trantaro's 11Mi Gri Vitaro"?
And Vir launches into a rousing rendition.
VIR
(song, con brio)
Mela crosa vi sarma, ti var yama
gri, solay dar mi tay il parra gri
vita
And after a few brief bars, Londo joins in and they sing the
finale together in grand Centauri style.
LONDO/VIR
(together, con molto
brio)
Ay vita, lestaro, lestaro mi
gri ! ! ! !
They end, happy. Londo claps Vir on the shoulders.
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Originally posted by Jan View PostThe words were written in the script by Lawrence G. DiTillio including opeatic instructions (con brio and con molto brio). I'd assume that the music to go with it was written by Christopher Franke, but I can't find anything to definitely back that up.
If you're interested, I can transcribe the words from the script.
Jan
I'm new to this group, but found this while looking around. I wanted to ask if you still have the transcription of the 2 songs used from Knives. I really loved your insight here, but would love to have the actual lyrics if you are still able to transcribe them
Hope to hear from you soon,
Lensman
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Wouldn't this be a fantastic question to actually ask jms himself?
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Originally posted by JanIf you're interested, I can transcribe the words from the script.
Jan
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That is one of my favorite scenes from B5! The music sounds so very much like Italian opera of the 19th century. Londo's quote is "opera seria" - in dramatic style, while Vir's is "opera comic". My best guess is Londo's is most like Puccini or Verdi, while Vir's is simply delightful.
Both actors seemed to enjoy singing, and both are very good singers. Londo's snip was very well done with just the right drama, excellent intonation, and great phrasing! Vir's was joy expressed in sound.
Too bad "Locator Javo" had to interrupt that happy moment.
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The words were written in the script by Lawrence G. DiTillio including opeatic instructions (con brio and con molto brio). I'd assume that the music to go with it was written by Christopher Franke, but I can't find anything to definitely back that up.
If you're interested, I can transcribe the words from the script.
Jan
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Opera in "Knives"?
The opera Vir and Londo sing at the beginning of "Knives" sounded somewhat familiar but I can't place it.
Does anyone know where the music comes from?Tags: None
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