Music “can invest a scene with terror, grandeur, gaiety or misery” Music “can invest a scene with terror, grandeur, gaiety or misery”

Born on this day in 1911 composer Bernard Hermann.

“A song is a lot of things” “A song is a lot of things”

Born on this day in 1902 composer Richard Rodgers.

“If the path be beautiful, let us not ask where it leads” “If the path be beautiful, let us not ask where it leads”

Born on this day in 1932 soprano Anna Moffo.

Garden variety Garden variety

On this day in 1911, the fifth edition of the Ziegfeld Follies opened at the Jardin de Paris.

Twin peaks Twin peaks

On this day in 1870 Wagner’s Die Walküre premiered in Munich.

Queens for a day Queens for a day

On this day in 1967 the Metropolitan Opera presented its first Met in the Parks performance in Crocheron Park, Bayside, Queens: Puccini’s La Boheme.

Will and disgrace Will and disgrace

Today is the 75th birthday of James Levine.

The waters are already rolling in a spring mood The waters are already rolling in a spring mood

Born on this day in 1900 mezzo-soprano and teacher Jennie Tourel.

Una voce Una voce

Happy 60th birthday mezzo-soprano Jennifer Larmore.

Mozart of the Champs-Elysées Mozart of the Champs-Elysées

Born on this day in 1819 composer Jacques Offenbach.

Smoke gets in your eyes Smoke gets in your eyes

On this day in 1970, Regina Resnik celebrated her 25th anniversary at the Met with a performance of Carmen, part of the company’s first June Festival.

She’s electrifying She’s electrifying

Happy 75th birthday soprano Eva Marton. 

Borne back ceaselessly into the past Borne back ceaselessly into the past

Born on this day in 1952 tenor Jerry Hadley.

Statuesque Statuesque

Happy 88th birthday stage designer and director Pier Luigi Pizzi.

Illuminatus Illuminatus

Born on this day in 1763 composer Simon Mayr

Frappez toujours! Dieu choisira les siens! Frappez toujours! Dieu choisira les siens!

On this day in 1855 Verdi’s Les Vêpres siciliennes premiered in Paris.

True intentions True intentions

Born on this day in 1919 actress and theatre practitioner Uta Hagen.

Everything’s coming up roses Everything’s coming up roses

Born on this day in 1864 composer Richard Strauss and in 1913 mezzo-soprano Risë Stevens.

“I believe in the idea of the rainbow” “I believe in the idea of the rainbow”

Born on this day in 1922 Miss Show Business.

Talent works, genius creates Talent works, genius creates

Born on this day in 1810 composer Robert Schumann.

Knight after knight Knight after knight

Happy 55th birthday tenor Roberto Alagna.

Choirboy Choirboy

Happy 79th birthday tenor Giacomo Aragall.

Let’s start at the very beginning Let’s start at the very beginning

On this day in 1971, James Levine made his Metropolitan Opera debut.

The Italian girl in excelcis The Italian girl in excelcis

Happy 52nd birthday mezzo-soprano Cecilia Bartoli.