April 18

Giacomo Carissimi was born in 1605 and served as chapel master at the Jesuit Collegio Germanico in Rome. He is widely regarded as a pioneer of the Baroque oratorio, with works like 'Jephte' and 'Jonas' becoming models for later composers. Carissimi composed over 150 cantatas, motets, and sacred works, blending emotional expressivity with contrapuntal mastery. His music circulated throughout Europe, influencing figures such as Marc-Antoine Charpentier and Jean-Baptiste Lully. As a teacher, he trained a generation of composers who carried his style beyond Italy. Carissimi's contributions helped shape the future of Western sacred music until his death in 1674.

Born in Paris in 1666, Jean-Féry Rebel became a prominent violinist at the court of Louis XIV. He served as a leader in the Paris Opéra orchestra and later composed numerous ballets and operas. Rebel's signature work, 'Les Élémens', portrays the creation of the universe with striking harmonies and vivid orchestration. His daring use of dissonance and colorful textures marked a departure from traditional Baroque conventions. Throughout his career, he influenced the development of French orchestral music and mentored the next generation of composers. Rebel's music remains celebrated for its imaginative spirit and structural innovation.

Born in 1759, Jacques Widerkehr emerged as a skilled cellist renowned for his virtuosic technique and expressive playing. He composed numerous sonatas, duos, and chamber pieces that highlighted the cello's lyrical and technical possibilities. Widerkehr's works were performed in salons and concert venues across France, earning him acclaim among amateur and professional musicians alike. His compositions reflect the elegance and balance of the Classical period, coupled with passages that challenged performers. He also served as a teacher, passing on his expertise to the next generation of cellists. Although less known today, his music remains a valuable part of the 18th-century cello repertoire.

Franz von Suppé was born in 1819 in Split, Dalmatia (now Croatia) and became a central figure in the development of Viennese operetta. He studied composition in Vienna and gained popularity with a series of one-act operettas in the 1840s and 1850s. Suppé's overtures, including the well-known "Light Cavalry" and "Poet and Peasant," are still staples of the orchestral repertoire. His music combines melodic grace with rhythmic vitality, reflecting both Italian and Austrian influences. Suppé also served as Kapellmeister in Vienna, shaping theatrical music production. He died in 1895, leaving a lasting legacy on the genre of light opera.

Ludwig Levy was a pioneering German architect whose work left a lasting mark on 19th-century synagogue architecture. Born in 1854 in Worms, he studied at the Technical Universities of Karlsruhe and Munich. Levy served as a state building inspector and designed landmark synagogues throughout Germany and Alsace. He skillfully blended Gothic and Moorish Revival styles to create elegant and symbolic religious spaces. His notable works include the Neue Synagoge in Strasbourg and the Mainz Synagogue. Many of his buildings were lost or damaged during the Nazi era, underscoring the historical value of his surviving designs. Levy died in 1907, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire synagogue architects and historians.

Leopold Anthony Stokowski (1882–1977) was an English conductor known for his distinctive free-hand technique and flamboyant style. He served as the music director of the Philadelphia Orchestra from 1912 to 1936, elevating its reputation to international prominence. Stokowski championed contemporary composers and premiered numerous works, including those by Ravel and Stravinsky. He is perhaps best remembered by mass audiences for his collaboration with Walt Disney on the 1940 film Fantasia. Throughout his eight-decade career, he conducted major orchestras around the world and made influential recordings. His legacy endures as a pioneer who broadened the audience for symphonic music.

Al Lewis was born in 1901 and became one of America’s prolific songwriters. He co-wrote numerous songs that became staples of the American songbook and were recorded by leading jazz and pop artists. His lyrical talents helped shape the sound of the 1940s and 1950s, resonating on both Broadway and the radio. Lewis’s work bridged the worlds of Tin Pan Alley and popular culture, securing his place in music history. He died in 1967, leaving behind a catalog of enduring melodies.

Miklós Rózsa was born in 1907 and established himself as a masterful composer in Hollywood. He scored over 100 films, including classics like Spellbound and Ben-Hur, earning three Academy Awards. Rózsa blended classical techniques with cinematic flair to create emotionally resonant music. Beyond film, he composed concert works and conducted orchestras worldwide. He passed away in 1995, leaving a lasting legacy in both the film and concert music arenas.

Carl Burgos was a pioneering American comic book artist whose career began in the Golden Age of comics. In 1939, he created the original Human Torch for Timely Comics, the precursor to Marvel Comics. His dynamic illustrations and storytelling helped shape the emerging superhero genre. Burgos worked on various titles including "Captain America Comics" and contributed war comics during World War II. After the war, he continued adapting to changing industry trends in comics and strips. His legacy endures in the superhero genre he helped define and in the iconic character he introduced.

Shinobu Hashimoto collaborated with Akira Kurosawa on landmark films such as "Rashomon", "Ikiru", and "Seven Samurai". His screenplays are celebrated for their complex characters and innovative narrative structures. Hashimoto began his career at the Toho studios after World War II and quickly became a leading writer. He won numerous awards, including the Japan Academy Prize for Outstanding Screenplay. Beyond screenwriting, he produced and directed films, contributing broadly to Japanese cinema. His legacy endures in the lasting popularity and influence of the films he helped create until his passing in 2018.

Tony Mottola was a prolific American guitarist celebrated for his smooth, melodic style and versatility across jazz and popular music. He served as music director and lead guitarist for television programs, including The Tonight Show with Jack Paar. Mottola recorded dozens of solo albums that became staples of the easy-listening genre. His skill as a session musician led him to collaborate with artists like Frank Sinatra and Rosemary Clooney. He also composed original pieces for guitar, showcasing his technical precision and musical sensitivity. His recordings and arrangements influenced generations of guitarists until his passing in 2004.

Jean Richard was a prominent French entertainer whose career spanned theater, film, and music. He captivated audiences with his charismatic stage presence and melodic singing voice. Over several decades, Richard took on a variety of roles that showcased his dramatic range and comedic timing. He also performed in popular musical productions and recorded numerous songs that resonated with the public. His enduring appeal made him a beloved figure in French popular culture.