On this day in 1347, Cola di Rienzo, a Roman commoner, declared himself Emperor of Rome in response to years of baronial power-struggles.

Born on this day in 1893 bass-baritone Hans Hermann Nissen

Born on this day in 1909 bass-baritone Erich Kunz

Born on this day in 1925 baritone Chester Ludgin

Happy 77th birthday soprano Lone Koppel

Happy 76th birthday director Nikolaus Lehnhoff

Happy 65th birthday soprano Julie Kaufmann