I can assist you on some varied research topics

[katdad]

I can be of assistance with some general topics that may arise in your writing, should you wish:

Opera
Classical music in general
Shakespeare
James Joyce
Modern firearms (mostly non-military)
Computers
Hard science (chemistry, biology, astronautics, quantum physics minus the higher math)

In return, maybe you'll read a couple chapters from my new novel and return some comments?

[Maryn]

At the moment I don't need any of your areas of expertise--at least not for anything I'm writing--but I am not one to ignore a generous offer like this. (Hmm, is there any way I can work James Joyce into my cyber-murder story?)

However, any time I find someone who knows classical music I ask the same question. So far, no definitive answer--but I have more information than I used to.

What is that aria duet I first heard in the British Airways ad, then ripped off uncredited on a Yanni CD (no, not mine!), in numerous movies, and most recently heard again in "American President" on TV election night (in the US)? I paid attention during the credits, and got as far as "Viens, Mallika" from "Lakmé" (is that an opera?) composed by Léo Delibes, but when I tried to research the composer some more I got no other 'hits' for that particular piece in any other movie. However, I did find him credited in "True Romance" for duetto "Sous le dôme épais où le blanc jasmin" from “Lakme.”

So what recording is it I need to buy with the two sopranos weaving in and around one another's voices? It's among the most beautiful things I've ever heard, right up there with Barber's Adaggio and Copeland's Appalacian Spring...

[katdad]

Yes the opera is "Lakmé" by Leo Delibes. It's typically French opera, lovely, lyrical, and romantic.

The duet is one of the more famous (and beautiful) in all of opera. You can't forget its seductive tones.

It's between Lakmé the Hindi princess (soprano) and her servant girlfriend, Mallika (mezzo soprano). Lakmé and Mallika are in the evening garden, gathering lotus blossoms to honor the god Krishna.

The duet is "officially" titled "Dôme épais le jasmin" (Dome made of jasmine...) which is the first line of the actual duet.

It's also known from the lead-in to the duet itself as "Viens, Mallika" (Come, Mallika...)

You can find a very good recording of this duet, along with numerous famous operatic selections on the CD "The #1 Opera Album", available on Amazon and such.

It's a pretty good CD for general opera listening.

Although "Viens Mallika" does not appear on this other suggestion, I have a better recommendation for gifts to stir the heart.

Get them the CD "The Women In My Life", a collection of tenor love arias by Placido Domingo.

I guarantee successful feedback.

[Maryn]

I appreciate it. Gee, maybe in gratitude I'll work James Joyce in somehow after all!

Maryn

[katdad]

"Gee, maybe in gratitude I'll work James Joyce in somehow after all!"

You've already done it. Whether we realize it, anything modern writers do is somehow related to Joyce. His influence is that significant and pervasive. Like trying to ignore Shakespeare. Can't be done.