[sharing] Akiko Shikata
If you're into a more, umm, should I say, 'tasteful' side of Jmusic world such as the Ethnic/Classical/Opera-ish, Celtic folk/fantasy influenced (think fantasy RPG's soundtracks), you would come across the name everyone just can't help but to acknowledge her presence in these kinds of music scene. She is called Akiko Shikata (志方あきこ). Akiko is a pure musician that is true to her genre that aside from being her own occasional lyricist, she is also a composer, and is capable of singing in many languages such as Italian among others. She started small from a doujin circle formed in the 2001 which later she gained popularity for her unique classical ethnic music, also her unique vocals. Now, many would recognize her either from her contribution to Ar tonelico's Hymmnos songs, and also very recently her song was used as the OP for the anime adaptation of Umineko no Naku Koro ni.
Just judging her from what I can manage to describe might not doing her any justice. I suggest on grabbing her most recent album, Harmonia to start with. That album is easily her best yet.
Notice that I only uploaded her commercial albums. She has many more under her doujin release.
Download Navigatoria : 192kbps
Download RAKA : 192kbps
Download Harmonia : 128kbps Part1 || Part2
Download Utau Oka ~Ar=Dor Ar=Ciel~
(sang in Hymmnos, and epic to the core.)