I need help. I don't have a green thumb and I am not much of a music buff. In fact, if I'm being brutally honest, I'm kind of tone deaf. It's not that I don't enjoy music - it's just that I'm undiscerning. Give me some nice girly vocals, a bit of a tune I can follow and I'll happily warble along in a very out of tune manner.

As a result my classical music training is limited (non-existant). Anyway this is where help comes in. I'm writing a short story and as a significant centre piece I need a piece of classical music.

Think Wagner but maybe not so heavy handed. Something that starts with some joy and humour, moves to the absolute pits of despair and ends on a glorious note. Possibly a triumphant death - but definately something that will have the audience both in tears and then exhilarated. I'm guessing this is most opera - so it must be sung by a female voice (though I could have a male voice intertwining) and it must be something ordinary people would appreciate (as well as opera buffs).

So what about it - any suggestions?