It’s our third annual challenge to “Make Opera Your Valentine”

At Opera Bracelets we say our product is for fun loving, passionate opera fans. As such, I encourage you this Valentine’s Day to share a favorite opera love aria, moment or duet on your own Facebook page or on Twitter, Pinterest or wherever you like to post things. Maybe you would rather send an email to your friends with the link.

BUT, this is the important thing: You have to tell why you LOVE it and give a short explanation of what is happening to the characters in the song. The goal is to give your friends who may not be familiar with opera a little sample of how it can rock your world!

Here’s mine for 2015: Turandot thought she could never love. A pile of 13 bodies sure testifies to the fact. But, Calaf can see beyond her defenses… her terrifies her .. in his eyes she sees the look of the Victor! One riddle contest and one poor dead slave girl later, Turandot is starting to understand what love really is. She realizes that she cannot live without this man. She announces to the court: “I know the name of the stranger: it is Love!”.

This love story is represented by the familiar and beloved Nessun Dorma theme. It starts as a gentle preamble as Calaf proposes one last riddle to Turandot. It develops with strength and longing in the familiar aria. But in the finale after Turandot reveals the name of the stranger , the court realizes that the days of bloodshed and terror are over and the explosion of joy can bring tears to your eyes!