Win!

Literally :)

I just got an email from GoodReads, telling me that I've won a copy of Neil Gaiman's Odd and the Ice Giants! It wouldn't surprise me, knowing NG, to learn that everyone who applied got one, or that everyone who was his "friend" got one. Nevertheless, a free book is a free book, and I wanted it, so yay.

Opera Meme

There's a little movement afoot to post favourite opera moments (via anghara and sartorias

I would not describe myself as an "opera fan" per se, but I can be moved by exquisite music with the best of them. So, without further ado, my greatest hits.

"Ebben? Ne andrò lontana" from Catalina's La Wally I am a movie fan, through and through, and this is an amazing movie, but also one of the most spine-chillingly beautiful operatic arias.

Those, who, like me, grew up listening to the CBC may remember Clive Gilmour and "Gilmour's Albums" on Sunday mornings. This was one of the highlights: the "pearl fishers" duet sung by Jussi Bjorling and Robert Merrill.

Saving the best for last, this is not strictly Opera, but represents my own taste in vocal music: Bach oratorios. And here is one the the most purely exquisite arias from Bach's Matthew Passion. Enjoy.