Anyhoo, in honor of Valentine’s day, I have two lovely arias for you:
First, for the ladies, “Donna non vidi mai” from Manon Lescaut, sung by the Argentine lyric tenor Marcelo Álvarez (whom I just saw in the Met’s Tosca). Ladies, imagine you’ve just stepped out of a carriage, and Marcelo has fallen in love with you on sight and is singing this aria for your ears only.
The last is piece is especially for the gentlemen, courtesy of @amzenon. Okay, for everyone. But gents, if Maria Callas can’t melt your stony heart with her renditio of “Porgi amor” on the holiday devoted to romance, then you are a Scrooge. Stand by. Three ghosts will be visiting shortly to help you claim your humanity, you heartless guttersnipe. And Happy Valentine’s Day!