Birthdays
1741 - Jean-Paul-Égide Martini, also known as Jean-Paul-Gilles Martini , French composer of German birth during the classical period. His birth name was Johann Paul Aegidius Scwartzendorf in 1741. Often confused with the Italian composer Giovanni Battista Martini, Jean Martini is sometimes known as Martini Il Tedesco ("Martini The German"). Today, he is best known for the vocal romance "Plaisir d'amour," a classical French love song he wrote in 1784, based from a poem by Jean-Pierre Claris de Florian, which appears in his novel Célestine. The 1961 Elvis Presley pop standard "Can't Help Falling in Love" is based from "Plaisir dÁmour". (Janet Baker - Martini's Plaisir d'amour. TV recital, 1982. Youtube, uploade by Gabba02. Accessed August 31, 2021.)
1834 - Amilcare Ponchielli, Italian opera composer, famous for La Gioconda. (Opera La Gioconda, Conductor Donato Renzetti, in Catania Teatro Massimo, 2006. Uploaded by Pierrot Boccanegra. Accessed August 31, 2018.) The opera's title translates as The Happy Woman, but is usually given in English as The Ballad Singer. However, as this fails to convey the irony inherent in the original, the Italian is usually used. Each act of La Gioconda has a title. Place & time: 17th century Venice. The story revolves around a woman, Gioconda, who so loves her mother that when Laura, her rival in love for the heart of Enzo, saves her mother's life, Gioconda puts aside her own romantic love to repay her. The villain Barnaba tries to seduce Gioconda, but she prefers death.
1870 - Maria Montessori (Maria Tecla Artemisia Montessori), Italian physician and educator, best known for the philosophy of education that bears her name, and her writing on scientific pedagogy. (Maria Montessori: Learn about her teachings, life and lasting legacy. Uploaded by Davidson Film, Inc. Accessed August 31, 2011.)
1879 - Alma Mahler (Alma Maria Mahler Gropius Werfel, born Alma Margaretha Maria Schindler), Viennese-born composer, author, editor and socialite. Musically active from her early years, she was the composer of nearly 50 songs for voice and piano, and works in other genres as well. Only seventeen songs are known to survive. She became the wife of composer Gustav Mahler, who insisted (as a condition of their marriage) that she give up composing. She fell into depression from being artistically stifled. While her marriage was struggling, she had an affair with Walter Gropius. Gustav started to encourage her composing and helped prepare some of her compositions for publication, but he died soon after this attempted reconciliation in 1911.(Alma Mahler (1879-1964) - Complete Songs. YouTube, uploaded by Singer Joy. Accessed August 31, 2020. Alma Mahler's "Sämtliche Lieder" performed by Charlotte Margiono (soprano) and members of the Brabant Orchestra. Conducting and orchestral arrangements by Julian Reynolds. Alma Mahler. YouTube, uploaded by Thomas Little aka Classical Nerd. Accessed August 31, 2020)
1928 - James Coburn (born James Harrison Coburn III), American actor. He was featured in more than 70 films, largely action roles, and made 100 television appearances during a 45-year career, ultimately winning an Academy Award in 1999 for his supporting role as Glen Whitehouse in Affliction. His toothy grin and lanky physique made him a perfect tough guy in leading and supporting roles in westerns and action films, such as The Magnificent Seven, The Great Escape, Charade, Our Man Flint, In Like Flint, and more. He received a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Miniseries nomination for producing The Mists of Avalon. Coburn cultivated an image synonymous with "cool" and, along with such contemporaries as Lee Marvin, Steve McQueen, Charles Bronson and Clint Eastwood, became one of the prominent "tough-guy" actors of his day.
1945 - Itzhak Perlman, Israeli-American violinist. Itzhak Perlman and conductor James Levine collaborate for an outstanding rendition of Sarasate's virtuosic fiddle showpiece, "Sigeunerweisen." Uploaded by Nodame2006. Accessed August 30, 2018.)
1949 - Richard Gere (born Richard Tiffany Gere), American actor and producer. He began in films playing a supporting role in Looking for Mr. Goodbar and a starring role in Days of Heaven. He came to prominence with his role in the film American Gigolo, which established him as a leading man and a sex symbol. His other in many well-received films, include An Officer and a Gentleman, The Cotton Club, Pretty Woman, Primal Fear, Runaway Bride, and more... For portraying Billy Flynn in the Academy Award-winning musical Chicago, he won a Golden Globe Award and a Screen Actors Guild Award as part of the cast.
Lefties:
None known
1870 - Maria Montessori (Maria Tecla Artemisia Montessori), Italian physician and educator, best known for the philosophy of education that bears her name, and her writing on scientific pedagogy. (Maria Montessori: Learn about her teachings, life and lasting legacy. Uploaded by Davidson Film, Inc. Accessed August 31, 2011.)
1879 - Alma Mahler (Alma Maria Mahler Gropius Werfel, born Alma Margaretha Maria Schindler), Viennese-born composer, author, editor and socialite. Musically active from her early years, she was the composer of nearly 50 songs for voice and piano, and works in other genres as well. Only seventeen songs are known to survive. She became the wife of composer Gustav Mahler, who insisted (as a condition of their marriage) that she give up composing. She fell into depression from being artistically stifled. While her marriage was struggling, she had an affair with Walter Gropius. Gustav started to encourage her composing and helped prepare some of her compositions for publication, but he died soon after this attempted reconciliation in 1911.(Alma Mahler (1879-1964) - Complete Songs. YouTube, uploaded by Singer Joy. Accessed August 31, 2020. Alma Mahler's "Sämtliche Lieder" performed by Charlotte Margiono (soprano) and members of the Brabant Orchestra. Conducting and orchestral arrangements by Julian Reynolds. Alma Mahler. YouTube, uploaded by Thomas Little aka Classical Nerd. Accessed August 31, 2020)
1928 - James Coburn (born James Harrison Coburn III), American actor. He was featured in more than 70 films, largely action roles, and made 100 television appearances during a 45-year career, ultimately winning an Academy Award in 1999 for his supporting role as Glen Whitehouse in Affliction. His toothy grin and lanky physique made him a perfect tough guy in leading and supporting roles in westerns and action films, such as The Magnificent Seven, The Great Escape, Charade, Our Man Flint, In Like Flint, and more. He received a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Miniseries nomination for producing The Mists of Avalon. Coburn cultivated an image synonymous with "cool" and, along with such contemporaries as Lee Marvin, Steve McQueen, Charles Bronson and Clint Eastwood, became one of the prominent "tough-guy" actors of his day.
1945 - Itzhak Perlman, Israeli-American violinist. Itzhak Perlman and conductor James Levine collaborate for an outstanding rendition of Sarasate's virtuosic fiddle showpiece, "Sigeunerweisen." Uploaded by Nodame2006. Accessed August 30, 2018.)
1949 - Richard Gere (born Richard Tiffany Gere), American actor and producer. He began in films playing a supporting role in Looking for Mr. Goodbar and a starring role in Days of Heaven. He came to prominence with his role in the film American Gigolo, which established him as a leading man and a sex symbol. His other in many well-received films, include An Officer and a Gentleman, The Cotton Club, Pretty Woman, Primal Fear, Runaway Bride, and more... For portraying Billy Flynn in the Academy Award-winning musical Chicago, he won a Golden Globe Award and a Screen Actors Guild Award as part of the cast.
Lefties:
None known
1888 - Jack the Ripper, London's serial killer, murders his first victim, Mary Ann "Polly" Nichols. She was found mutilated in Whitechapel, London. At least five other victims follow and the grisly murders become famous worldwide. Despite various theories as to his identity, the murderer is never caught.
1994 - After 25 years of fighting to force the British out of Northern Ireland, the IRA announces a ceasefire and its willingness to enter into peace talks.
1994 - After 25 years of fighting to force the British out of Northern Ireland, the IRA announces a ceasefire and its willingness to enter into peace talks.
