You could celebrate the day by listening to the first two acts of Giacomo Puccini‘s La bohème. So much love, so much emotion …

On the other hand, if you’re single this Valentine’s Day (and indeed, many refer to this day as S.A.D. – Singles Awareness Day), you can enjoy the final act of this opera instead. It’s full of betrayal, misery, death – you know, the good stuff.

But for now we’ll stick with those who are celebrating the day and listen to this orgasmic duet.

Today Christians observe Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. Traditionally, Ash Wednesday services include the reading or singing of Psalm 51 – in Latin, Miserere Mei – a psalm of humility and repentance. There are numerous settings of this text; more than that, there are numerous GOOD settings of this text. Many, though, believe that Gregorio Allegri’s is by far the best.

At least, so says Rosina, the heroine from Rossini‘s opera, The Barber of Seville.

In Rosina’s well loved solo, she presents herself as coy and sweet, but wickedly clever. She sings “A thousand tricks I play until I have my way; be on your guard.” Then, working with her lover, she proceeds to make an idiot out of a cruel, elderly suitor. Don’t let the gorgeous bel canto singing fool you – and definitely don’t play games with this woman!