It’s our fifth 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 aria, moment or duet on your own Facebook page or on Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram or wherever you like to post things. Maybe you would rather send an email to your friends or, even better, just talk it up in person!

BUT, this is the important thing: You have to tell why you LOVE the piece 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 opera can rock your world! Without context, it is hard to understand why we find opera moving and beautiful. It may seem obvious to us but for people outside of opera they might think a piece is beautiful but not get the emotional connection.

Here’s mine for 2016:

This year I’m choosing something light hearted. (Also, it’s our 25^th wedding anniversary this week and this is one of Andrew’s favorites.)

Papageno is a hardworking guy with one hope- to find a special woman, settle down and have kids. He gets unwittingly caught up in the wild game that is the Magic Flute, gets a glimpse of his chosen girl only to have her whisked away from him because he is unworthy. After more travail, in frustration, he threatens to take his life. Three magic boys implore him to ring his magic bells upon which beautiful Papagena appears! The joy of the lovers upon being reunited is exuberant and actually defies words- even German words! Skip to 5:30 for the "good part".