I'd have to say Schubert IMHO was one of the best melodists of all (eschewing opera for now...). There is a Waltz in a minor for Piano, I forget the D. number. Some days I can't get it from my head for anything. I guess I'd hum it for y'all if I could. [When does the mixed-media list come out?] I won't even start in on his Lieder. Sometimes, though, the 'worst' (least lyrical?) melodies take the best thematic treatment. I'm thinking of the slow movement of Beethoven's 7th--a personal fave. Bob K.