On this day in 1914 Zandonai’s Francesca da Rimini premiered in Turin. 

Born on this day in 1743 composer Luigi Boccherini.

Born on this day in 1843 soprano Adelina Patti.

Born on this day in 1897 baritone (and Brigitte’s father) Willi Domgraf-Fassbänder.

Born on this day in 1932 director and designer Jean-Pierre Ponnelle.

Happy 77th birthday tenor Vladimir Atlantov.

Happy 73rd birthday mezzo-soprano Stefania Toczyska.

Happy birthday opera superfan Fotis Caragiannopoulos.