Opera (or trivia) experts...help please!

[tinfoilinfor2005]

Which aria is it that Tom Hanks explains to Denzel Washington in the movie Philadelphia?

I recently saw Tosca and the final aria was so stirring and reminiscent of the aria used in the film that I was convinced (without the benefit of a copy of the movie) it was the same. However, searching the internet, I can't find anything definitive. Just vague reference to Callas and Hanks, etc. Anyone know for sure?

[tuvor]

1. That was too easy.

I googled "tom hanks" philadelphia & aria, and this was contained in the very first hit:

If there's a scene that will earn Tom Hanks the Academy Award, it's where his character gives an impassioned translation of the aria "La Momma Morta" while his lawyer looks on in stunned silence. Here Andrew expresses his acceptance of death even as he acknowledges his continuing passion for life, and Miller feels fear as he recognizes that his client no longer disgusts him. This scene is Philadelphia's watershed.

http://colossus.net/movie-reviews/movies/p/philadelphia.html

[tinfoilinfor2005]

2. Yes, I got that too, but is it an aria from an opera?

That is where it got kind of hazy because they reference Callas and Tosca etc. but don't seem to credit the composer or the opera.

[tinfoilinfor2005]

3. Ok, found it. Thanks.

:)