On this day 100 years ago, tenor Mario del Monaco was born.  

Born on this day in 1824 dramatist Alexandre Dumas fils

Born on this day in 1867 composer Enrique Granados

Born on this day in 1896 bass Ivar Andrésen

Born on this day in 1909 conductor Gianandrea Gavazzeni

Happy 75th birthday Bugs Bunny (first seen in Wild Hare, released July 27, 1940)

Happy 63rd birthday soprano Carol Vaness

And here’s a bonus: a classic episode of Unnatural Acts of Opera featuring today’s centenarian. Once La Cieca finishes her babbling, the performance is Act 2 of La forza del destino from New Orleans Opera in 1953.