Today in opera/musical history - October 20th, 2006

BIRTHDAYS – SINGERS:

Brendel, Wolfgang (b) Ger. b. Munich, Oct. 20, 1947; MET: Début: Nov.
20,1975 [Almaviva] Le Nozze di Figaro (1975, 88-89, 91, 94-98, 01-03) 84 perf.
11 works.

Elms, Lauris (c) Aussie. b. Melbourne, Oct. 20, 1931;

Navál, Franz (t) [Franz Pogacnik] (1865-1939) Austrian. (74) b. Laibach,
Oct. 20, 1865; d. Aug. 9, 1939: MET: Début Feb. 13, 1904 [Georges] La Dame Blanche (1904) 27 perf. 7 works.

Pollock, Michael (t) (1921-2003) U.S. b. New York, Oct. 20, 1921; d. San Diego, Nov. 8, 2003:

Simon, Joanna (ms) U.S. b. New York, Oct 20, 1940; MET: Début: National
Council Concert: Mar. 23, 1962: The only performance by this artist.

Turgeon, Bernard (b) Can. b. Edmonton, Alberta, Oct. 20, 1932;

Ventriglia, Franco (bs) U.S. b. Fairfield, CT, Oct. 20, 1927;

Vejzovic, Dunja (ms) Yugoslavian. b. Zagreb, Oct. 20, 1943; MET: Début:Oct. 9, 1978 [Venus] Tannhäuser (1978) 2, perf. 1 work.

OPERA - COMPOSERS:

FUMI: Vinceslao (1823-1880) It. b. Montepuciano, Oct. 20, 1823; d.
Firenze,
Nov. 20, 1880: OPERA: (1862) Buenos Aires: “Atala”

PERFORMANCE DEBUTS:
(1888) DENVER: Tabor Grand: Abbott Grand Opera Co., Flotow: Martha.

SINGER DÉBUTS:
MET: (1979) William Johns (t) U.S. Bizet: [José] Carmen.

Legend: t=tenor, b= baritone, s=soprano, ms=mezzo-soprano, bs=bass, c=countertenor