Arturo Toscanini might be the most iconic conductor of all time. When people talk about conductors as dictators, the image of Toscanini is impossible to overlook. Born on March 25, 1867 in Parma, he started off his musical careers as a cellist. But fate would eventually have him perform as a conductor. During a tour of Rio de Janeiro with {…}
Gabriela Beňačková, born on March 25, 1947, is one of the most celebrated Slovakian artists of all time. She had a musical upbringing, dedicating her early years to singing, ballet, and the piano. In 1962, she went to study at the Bratislava Conservatory, followed by two years at the Conservatory in Zilina. Then she went to the Academy of Performing {…}
Mario Sereni was one of the most underrated Italian baritones of his time. He was born on March 25, 1928 in Perugia, Italy. He studied at the Accademia di Santa Cecilia in Rome as well as the Accademia Chigiana in Siena. In 1953, his professional career kicked off with a performance at the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, followed by his Met {…}
Dolora Zajick is one of the famed Verdi mezzos of the late 20th and early 21st century. Born on March 24, 1952, Oregon, she actually started off as a pre-med student at the University of Nevada before switching over to voice. She wound up graduating from the University of Nevada with both a Bachelor’s and Master’s music. From there, she {…}
Of “The Five” Russian composers, Modest Mussorgsky’s legacy is arguably the most enduring and innovative. Born on March 21, 1839 in Karevo to a wealthy family. He started piano lessons at age six and by age nine was already taking on works of the great composers such as Franz Liszt. At age 10, he went to Saint Petersburg where he {…}
Beniamino Gigli is one of the most famous tenors in history. Born on March 20, 1890 in Recanati, his father was a shoemaker who was passionate about opera. While his family didn’t really care to see their son take on a career as an opera singer, Gigli moved forward and wound up winning an international prize in 1914. That same {…}
Lauritz Melchior remains one of the greatest Wagner tenors ever to perform. Born on March 20, 1890 in Copenhagen, he was a boy soprano and amateur singer in his youth. However, he would study at the Royal Opera School in Copenhagen and made his professional debut in 1913, as a baritone. During his time at the Royal Danish Opera, he {…}
“The Death of Klinghoffer” is one of the most controversial operas ever created. The work, written by librettist Alice Goodman and composer John Adams, had its world premiere on March 19, 1991, in Brussels, but upon appearing in NYC later that year, the work has been followed by major protests; it was initiated by Lisa and Ilsa Klinghoffer, the daughters {…}
Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov is one of the most influential Russian composers of the 19th century. Born on March 18, 1844, he started composition at age 10 but preferred literature over music. During his school years he started to take piano lessons and slowly cultivated his music talents throughout those formative years. When he arrived in St. Petersburg in 1865, he met {…}
Verdi’s “Attila” had its world premiere on March 17, 1846, and was loved by the public, earning productions all over Italy. However, it waned in the 20th century, falling out of favor and only receiving revivals when used as a vehicle for famed basses who have gravitated toward the complex title role. The opera’s world premiere cast included bass Ignazio {…}
Christa Ludwig is one of the German mezzo-sopranos of all time. Born on March 16, 1928 in Berlin, Ludwig had music all around her from a young age. Her father was a tenor and her mother was a mezzo who was performing under Herbert Von Karajan at the Aachen Opera; she proved to be the young Christa’s first voice teacher. {…}