(Even that insane series of modulations can’t save this number.)

Happy 83rd birthday soprano Olivia Stapp.

Born on this day in 1931 mezzo-soprano/soprano Shirley Verrett.

On this day in 1817 Rossini’s La gazza ladra premiered in Milan.

Birthday anniversaries of composer Marin Marais (1656), conductor Louis Fourestier (1892), mezzo-soprano Edith Coates (1908), countertenor Alfred Deller (1912) and soprano Florence Quartararo (1922).

Happy birthday to longtime parterrian Jon Taylor!