Happy 80th birthday songstress and diva Dame Shirley Bassey.

On this day in 1734 Handel’s Ariodante premieres at ROH Covent Garden.

Born on this day in 1915 bass-baritone Karl Dönch.

Born on this day in 1923 bass Giorgio Tozzi.

Born on this day in 1924 composer Benjamin Lees.

Born on this day in 1926 soprano Evelyn Lear.

Happy 79th birthday bass Yevgeny Nesterenko.

Happy 71st birthday opera director Elijah Moshinsky.