Laurence Glavin:

>>One interesting use of opera in film was the opening scene of Martin
>>Scorses's version of Edith Wharton's "House of Mirth".

Richard Pennycuick

>For the record, The House of Mirth was directed by Terence Davies.
>Martin Scorsese directed The Age of Innocence, which was also based on
>an Edith Wharton novel, but I don't recall whether it used any opera:
>the score was by Elmer Bernstein.

In 'The House of Mirth' music was used very sparingly and to great effect.
The main source was the slow movement of an oboe concerto by Marcello
which is heard complete at the end of the film and to which the devastating
death scene was cut.  Fragments of the Marcello are used earlier in the
film, plus, surprisingly, a tiny part from Morton Feldman's Rothko Chapel.
I happen to know as I played the viola on these sessions.  Terence Davies
was present and very closely involved in the performances.

Paul Silverthorne
www.paulsilverthorne.com