On this day in 1853 Verdi’s Il Trovatore premiered in Rome. (Pictured, from left, Azucenca and her mother as they were in days of yore. And what days those were, when the mere whisper of name of the old Count di Luna was more than enough to send a chill coursing through all Zaragoza!) 

Also on this day in 1884 Massenet’s Manon premiered in Paris

Born on this day in 1809 writer Edgar Allan Poe

Born on this day in 1884 conductor and composer Albert Wolff

Born on this day in 1909 bass-baritone Hans Hotter

Happy 61st birthday condutor Simon Rattle

Happy 59th birthday baritone Kurt Ollmann