First Contact and Berlioz - a real challenge

[atozz]

Remember the classical piece that Picard listened to at the beginning of this film and the cube arrival sequence that followed? I liked the musical piece a lot and Picard himself corrected Riker that it was Berlioz and not Bizet. Also, it was supposedly a fragment from Les Troyennes. However, I listened to the whole of LT and there was nothing that would even remotely resemble that short clip. Also, I liked the music that followed a lot and I suppose it was also a bit of a classical piece. I have grown a huge classical fan since and would like to pinpoint the musical piece that was used and listen to it in its entirety. Any help?

Regards,

Karol P.

 

[Robert Maxwell]

It is the aria "Vallon Sonore" from the piece you mentioned. You can listen to it here: http://www.imeem.com/trancelations/music/1X62kYoe/berlioz_vallon_sonore_from_les_troyens/

The segment used in FC starts around 1:30 on that page, though it's not as bombastic as the version in the film.

I hope that helps!

 

[Flying Spaghetti Monster]

yes.. also at 5 minutes you can ehar it, this time with the accenting notes just before Picard shuts it off!

 

[Peach Wookiee]

I'd love to know the version used in the film.

 

[Robert Maxwell]

IMDB has the soundtrack listing, including who performed that version. That would be a good starting point toward finding it.

 

[Peach Wookiee]

Nice! Thanks!

 

[atozz]

Thanks for your great answers. It is indeed the Vallon Sonore aria at the beginning of act 5 of Les Troyens:

Memory Alpha Entry on Les Troyens

Les Troyens opera on Amazon

So, what do you think - why did Picard listen to this aria? And - do you think people will still listen to classical music in the 24th century?

 

[Green Shirt]

do you think people will still listen to classical music in the 24th century?

Yeah, they will. And it all can be downloaded for free, since there's no money in the 24th century.

 

[Opus]

So, what do you think - why did Picard listen to this aria? And - do you think people will still listen to classical music in the 24th century?

Here's the translation (the original obviously in French):

Ah, I dream of my native valley.
I used to walk there singing,
Will I ever sing again
under those great trees?

Ah, poor Hylas?
Let me sail home, gently rocking
on the oceans mighty breasts
Oh, the powerful sea, the child of Dindyma!
I dream of my native trees.
They shield me from the heat of the day.

Will I ever inhale
their sweet perfume again?
Let me sail home, gently rocking
on the oceans mighty breasts
Oh, the powerful sea, the child of Dindyma!

I think the words speak of Picard's feelings at that moment.

I would also say yes, people in the future will still be listening to classical music. It's lasted so far.

 

[Messianni]

Thank you for that translation OphaClyde. Certainly appropriate considering Picard's circumstances and feelings at the time. Just another example of why First Contact was so great.

 

[Sheliak]

"O puissante mer, l'enfant de Dindyme!"

O powerful sea, child of Dindymene (Rhea - Queen of Heaven)

Consider the Borg Queen and the reference to Moby Dick...

"Oh, excuse me! I didn't mean to interrupt your little quest! Captain Ahab has to go hunt his whale." "You broke your little ships. See you around, Ahab." "And he piled upon the whale's white hump the sum of all the rage and hate felt by his whole race. If his chest had been a cannon he would have shot his heart upon it."

One could also make a connection between Cybele (Dindymene) and Data's relationship to the Borg Queen. This one is somewhat graphic, so I'll let you do the googling.