Just had a verklempt moment. My ma would sing the chorus part of this

[usonian]

3. Which tune?

Apparently you and SheltieLover have the same birthday.

My Mom didn't sing, IIRC, but especially loved the Largo from Xerces (Serse), Ombra Mai Fu, Brahms' 4th Symphony, Sibelius' 2nd. Symphony and most of Hansel and Gretel, especially the dream pantomime. That's all I recall.

Here's the fun part. Mom felt that the Barcarolle from Tales of Hoffman was unlucky. No idea why. If she explained, I forgot.

Dad was into big bands and a smattering of classical music. I remember hearing Grofé, Gaité Parisienne (Offenbach, orchestrated by Manuel Rosenthal later on) That earworm won't leave me to this day, some other pieces I can't recall, and a Spike Jones record I memorized. My uncle worked for a radio station and had tons of records, including some naughty Italian-American comedy records and a (redacted) comedy record that it took me some years to comprehend.

I would sing the Jeopardy theme to my little daughter, interpolating her name into my lyrics. Sound familiar? Shorter than Lehar, on purpose. It's a timer.

I find "The Merry Widow" a bit more melodious than "Die Lustige Witwe" (the title, not the music)

Grateful for a musical childhood, and no doubt, you are, too.

Two birthdays today? What a bonanza. Enjoy the musical moments from your past.