Born on this day in 1926 soprano Leonie Rysanek. 

Born on this date in 1774 composer Gaspare Spontini

Born on this day in 1896 tenor Kálmán Pataky

Born on this day in 1900 composer Aaron Copland

Born on this day in 1914 opera librettist Eric Crozier

Born on this day in 1918 contralto Jean Madeira

Born on this day in 1919 soprano Lisa Otto

Happy 68th birthday baritone Jake Gardner

In celebration of the anniversary of the birth of the legendary Rysanek, our friends at Opera Depot are slashing 55% off her live recordings, as well as offering as a free download of a 1953 performance of Tosca.

Photo (Rysanek as Ariadne): Louis Mélançon/Metropolitan Opera