A Sunday Thought to Start the Week Off Right

When last we talked about the scraps we might scavenge from pop culture vs. the treasure chest of great music, art, sculpture, writing, etc. - all of which has been and is now inspired by our Catholic faith and culture - I ended those comments with this:

I just know that if more of us just lifted the lid of that treasure chest available to us all, things - everything in fact - would look, smell, taste and feel better. So grab your key, lift the lid and rummage around. Make time for the True, the Good, and the Beautiful.

That time, we didn't provide any "samples" for your enjoyment and appreciation. So now that we've all got a little extra time on our hands this Labor Day holiday weekend, here's a musical sample of exactly what I was talking about. This barcarolle is a gorgeous duet, "Belle nuit, o nuit d'amour," composed by Jacques Offenbach for his opera, "Tales of Hoffman." If you're not an opera fan, please don't be put off. "Barcarolle" is the French word for the original Italian "barcarola" which derives from "barca," in English "boat." Barcarola are folk songs sung by Venetian gondoliers, or a piece of music written in that style. You don't need to be an opera aficionado to appreciate and enjoy folk music - which is, of course the original form of "pop" music.

This performance was captured at a rehearsal, sung by two of the greatest sopranos of our time, Anna Netrebko and Elina Garancia. I've heard both of these great artists in a number of performances at the Met Opera. They're as good or better live on stage as what you'll hear now. You don't need to be an opera lover like me to be enthralled by the beauty of the sound these women create here. I hope this jewel from the great Treasure Chest enhances your holiday weekend.

Happy Labor Day!