1. My concept of what classical music encompasses has been
heavily influenced by what gets filed under the "Classical"
section of CDs at Wal-Mart, where I work.
Piano works, instrumental pieces, opera, ...
2. Indeed.
3. I ьberlufs the song "Cuor Senza Sangue" ["Bloodless Heart"],
sung by Emma Shapplin. [According to Wal-Mart, it'd be
considered classical. :P] From the purely instrumental side of
the genre, I'd pick Paganini as a favorite composer - he wrote
some of the most instrumentally complex pieces I've ever
listened to.