Fairies are fantastic and ethereal creatures. They are depicted like beautiful women, glowing, with wings (but not in all cultures fairies have wings), and sometimes carrying a wand that emits sparks. And always in the deep forests. Their origin is mainly based on Celtic legends. But the belief in the existence of fantastic creatures from the woods maybe is as ancient like the world. In the Middle Ages, it wasn't estrange to see fairies depicted in coat of arms, and some aristocrats said that they came from a fairy lineage. It was said that fairies took advantage of their beauty to have relationships with knights, and this way create a intermediate race between humans and fairies. In the Middle Ages, when someone saw a pale and weak child, it was said that was a fairy child. According to the ancient lore, fairies approached the baby's cribs to give them blessings or curses, depending on the good or bad nature of the fairy. The bad fairies ended being called witches. There are several theories about the origin of fairies. One of them is that they are angels that were unable to go back to the Heavens. So they stayed in the forests to protect God's creation. It explains why they were protectors of nature. It was said that sometimes they punished women for causing damage to nature, and they turned them into fairies too. And the only moment they might be set free was in Saint John's night. The saying was that only the noblest and gold hearted can see fairies. It is also said that they live in a parallel world and that they can intercede in the life of humans. Amongst the most popular legends there is the one which tells that King Arthur was healed by the four most powerful fairies from Avalon (a mythical isle inhabited by fairies). The belief in fairies was the origin of the so called "fairy tales". They reached their highest splendor in 17Th and 18Th centuries. The greatest writers of this genre were Charles Perrault ("Sleeping Beauty"), the Grimm Brothers ("Snow White", "Cinderella"), Madame Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont ("Beauty and the Beast"), and Hans Christian Andersen ("The Little Mermaid", "The Snow Queen"). Without doubt, who best depicts the world of fairies is Josephine Wall. And you? Do you believe in fairies? ...

Luciano Pavarotti was born in Modena on Octover 12th /1935. The doctor told her mother: "With this powerful voice, he will be tenor", and was true, one of the best tenors of all times. He had humble origins, his father was a baker and his mother a factory worker. Always heard bel canto in his home, because his father was a real fan of opera. Pavarotti sometimes commented that his father could have been a good singer. But his father said that to be a good singer it was necessary not only to have a good voice, but to control one's nerves. Pavarotti always said that his childhood was happy, but with economical shortages. During the second world war, he and his family went to live to the country. All his family were living in a rented room. By this time Pavarotti was interested in agriculture. He was fan of Beniaminogigly and Enrico Caruso. His father always encouraged him to take music lessons. When 9 years old, he was singing in the church chorus with his father. Another interest of Pavarotti was the football, and for some time he thought to devote himself to it. But his mother advised him to study teaching. And he did. Luciano worked as a teacher during two years. But his real vocation was to be a tenor, and made an agreement with his father. He would receive accommodation and meal until age 30; after this, if he couldn't dedicate to be a tenor, he would have to find a work and win his own money. In 1961 made an interpretation as Rodolpho in the opera "La Boheme" of Puccini, in a local competition in the Italian city Reggio Emilia. And this year he marries Adua Veroni, with whom he will be married for 34 years and with whom he will have 3 daughters. In 2003 he will marry his personal assistant Nicoleta, who was 30 years old less than him, and he will have his fourth daughter: Alice. Some time after wining that prize, he met the orchestra director Richard Bonynge, who was married with the famous soprano Joan Sutherland. They invited to Pavarotti to make an international tour. Luciano performed Donizetti's "La fille du regiment", a difficult piece. He reached 9 high Cs in the same aria. With this work, he got a cover in the New York Times and a worldwide fame. He used his fame to take part in many charity works. He made a popular trio (the Three Tenors) with Placido Domingo and Jose Carreras. He also performed with many singers of popular music: Frank Sinatra, Michael Jackson, Brian Adams, Bono from U2... That helped to give a new dimension to opera, to make it more familiar to all kinds of people. He won many Grammy awards, and platinum and gold discs. He was going to do a tour to say goodbye to performing, but he was detected a pancreatic cancer in July 2006. In 6 September 2007 he left us in his home near Modena, surrounded by his wife, his sister, and all his daughters. Luciano Pavarotti was a really charismatic man. His robust look, his wide smile, his eternal handkerchief in his hand... His voice will never have a rival. When we may think in a tenor, we will always imagine his figure, and that's what Luciano has left for us all. What you have seen is "Vesti la Giubba", a famous aria of the opera "Pagliacci" by Ruggiero Leoncavallo. This is the end of the 1st act, where the clown (Pagliaccio) discovers the infidelity of his wife. But the show must start, and he has to appear dressed like a clown and make them laugh, although he is crying deep inside. Even though "Caruso" or "Nessus Dorma" are more famous, this piece is the one that I like most of Luciano Pavarotti. I wanted to share it with you.

Fantasy Movies show us marvelous creatures, incredible beings, sorcerers, heroes, princess and magic worlds where in little time oneself is immersed in a fantasy background. They are films that you never get tired of seeing, little jewels of cinema. Here you are a list of the best fantasy films: 1- The Lord Of The Rings Trilogy: The Fellowship Of The Ring/The Two Towers/The Return Of The King 2- The Chronicles Of Narnia 3- Willow 4- Ladyhawke 5- The Princess Bride 6- Harry Potter 7- Dragonheart 8- Legend 9- The Dark Crystal 10- The Neverending Story The Lord Of The Rings Trilogy, shows the fantastic world of Tolkien. The director made some changes. It's logical, but I miss the dialog of Eowyn where she explains why she must go to war. I'd never had removed the full original dialog of the novel. But the films are very long and despite some changes, Peter Jackson followed the book quite well. The Chronicles of Narnia, four children are sent by their mother far away from war. They arrive to the house of a mysterious teacher. The most little child comes into an wardrobe and discovers Narnia, a damned world. And she and her brothers will have to save Narnia from a terrible witch. A charming film, full of fantasy, magic and mythological beings. Willow is fun, full of adventures and really entertaining. Willow is an dwarf who finds a baby princess, who according to the legend will finish with the terrible witch Bavmorda. Willow finds also a very funny character: Madmartigan (Val Kilmer), an antihero. But finally he keeps with his obligation. Ladyhawke, a cruel curse condemns two lovers to live separate forever. She is a lady in the night and a hawk at day, and he is a knight at day and wolf in the night. But a little thief will try to help the couple. The Princess Bride, a sick boy is visited by his grandfather who wants to read him a special book. The boy, in the beginning, don't wants to hear the story, but his grandfather is Peter Falk (Columbo) so finally he gets to read it to him. A story with a big sense of humor, with dialogs so unforgettable like: "My name is Inigo Montoya, you killed my father, prepare to die!". Another great scene is starring by Peter Cook: the wedding ("mawwage"). Harry Potter, Joanne K. Rowling created Harry Potter while she was suffering a depression. Today children (and not so children) enjoy with her books all around the world. Harry lives with his horrible uncles and his cousin. He seems not to belong to that detestable family. His destiny will be to become the biggest wizard of all times, but he will have to discover it. Dragonheart, what happens when only a dragon lasts in the world? What happens when you discover that this only dragon is a marvelous being? What happens when that who you must kill becomes your best friend? The result: in "Dragonheart". Legend, Lord of Darkness orders to kill the most pure and guileless beings: unicorns. Because when he exterminates all the unicorns, the Earth will be his. Jack and the princess Lily will have to protect the last of the unicorns. The Dark Crystal, when the Dark Crystal breaks, the harmony of universe is lost. There's only one hope: to repair the dark crystal and restore the order. This must be done by the last one of the Gelflings, Jen. In his travel he will meet other Gelfling, and with it he meets love too. The Neverending Story. The worst of this movie was its horrible soundtrack. Despite of this, it's a very entertaining story and full of fantasy. Bastian finds a book with all its pages in blank. This is a magical book that opens the door to a world that grows with the imagination of the humans. As people are loosing imagination, the Childlike Empress is ill, and the Nothing threatens their existence. Each one of us have his/her favorite list. I am sure I forgot some important movies. Tell me which.