On this day the Metropolitan Opera has announced its 2016-2017 schedule.

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-aSz-RO6ca8&start=257

On this day in 1859 Verdi’s Un ballo in maschera premiered in Napoli.
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OG2CSBMS4o

On this day in 1904 Puccini’s Madama Butterfly had its disastrous premiere in Milan.
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Bror-r0Wfw

Born on this day in 1796 composer Giovanni Pacini.
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aThJrDqYaRs

Born on this day in 1888 conductor Vincenzo Bellezza.
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23O-J3Sj-NQ

Born on this day in 1897 contralto Gertrud Wettergren.
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bi3hOnfmP54

Born on this day in 1909 soprano Marjorie Lawrence.
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVCnv8ATpt4

Born on this day in 1913 conductor and composer René Leibowitz.
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WziX6aRVuIo

Born on this day in 1914 baritone Luis Sagi-Vela.
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIgMGjY6qsc

Born on this day in 1924 soprano and writer Margaret Truman.
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQXbmADoC1w

Happy 90th birthday composer Friedrich Cerha.
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wj4tuWVBLoE

Born on this day in 1926 composer Lee Hoiby.
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1P50fgp6dUg

Happy 71st birthday soprano Ellen Shade.
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JCk-_RdEzY