On this day in 1881 Jacques Offenbach’s Les contes d’Hoffman premiered in Paris. 

On this day in 1882 Rimski-Korsakov’s opera Snyegurochka premiered in St Petersburg.

On this day in 1934 Howard Hanson’s Merry Mount premieres in New York City.

Born on this day in 1898 playwright Bertolt Brecht.

Born on this day in 1900 mezzo-soprano Gianna Pederzini.

Born on this day in 1910 soprano Maria Cebotari.

Born on this day in 1912 conductor Henry Krips.

Born on this day in 1923 bass Cesare Siepi.