May 08

Born in 1628 in Licata, Angelo Italia joined the Jesuit order and studied architecture as part of his formation. He designed notable Baroque churches, including Santa Maria della Neve and the church of the Jesuits in Palermo. Italia’s work is characterized by complex geometry, dramatic spatial effects, and ornate decoration. He contributed to the reconstruction of Catania after the 1693 earthquake, infusing urban planning with Jesuit principles. His buildings blend religious symbolism with technical innovation, reflecting the Catholic Counter-Reformation. He died in 1700, leaving a legacy of Sicilian Baroque masterpieces.

Nicknamed 'Il Baciccio', Gaulli became one of the leading painters of the Roman Baroque. He is best known for the fresco 'The Triumph of the Name of Jesus' in the Church of the Gesù. His dynamic compositions and masterful use of light and color influenced generations of artists. Gaulli worked for Pope Innocent X and contributed to many decorative cycles in Roman palaces. His legacy endures in the vivid theatricality and emotional power of his works.

Nathaniel Dance-Holland gained acclaim for his elegant portraits of British high society. He was a founding member of the Royal Academy of Arts in 1768 and later served as its secretary. Elected to Parliament in 1790, he represented East Grinstead for several years. His artistic style blended classical composition with vivid character portrayal. He died in 1811, remembered both for his artistry and public service.

Carl Stamitz (1745-1801) was a key figure of the Mannheim school and one of the most celebrated violin virtuosos of his time. Born in Mannheim, Germany, he studied under the guidance of his father, Johann Stamitz, before developing his own distinctive style. Stamitz composed numerous violin concertos, chamber works, symphonies, and flute compositions, blending the gallant and early classical styles. His pieces were admired for their melodic charm, elegant phrasing, and expressive depth. Throughout his career, he performed across Europe, earning acclaim in Paris, London, and St. Petersburg. After 1785, he settled in France, where he taught and continued composing until his death in 1801. His works influenced subsequent generations of violinists and composers and contributed significantly to the transition from Baroque to Classical music.

Born in New Orleans, Gottschalk blended European classical training with American folk and Caribbean rhythms. He studied at the Paris Conservatoire and earned acclaim for his virtuosic performances across Europe. His works such as "The Banjo" and "Union" showcased his innovative fusion of diverse musical traditions. As the first American pianist to achieve international fame, he toured extensively in North and South America. Audiences were captivated by his emotional expressiveness and technical brilliance. He died of yellow fever during a South American tour, leaving a lasting legacy in American classical music.

Born in Kisbér, Hungary, Székely studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich and Vienna. He became a leading figure in Hungarian art, celebrated for epic historical compositions that depict pivotal national events. In 1871 he was appointed professor at the Hungarian Royal School of Fine Arts, where he shaped a generation of artists. His detailed brushwork and dramatic scenes captured moments from Hungarian history and folklore. Székely's work played a crucial role in forging a national art identity in the late 19th century. He passed away in 1910, leaving an enduring impact as both an artist and educator.

Oscar Hammerstein I was born in Stettin, Prussia (now Szczecin, Poland) and emigrated to the United States in 1864. He first made his fortune in the cigar business before turning to theater and building opera venues. Hammerstein constructed the Manhattan Opera House, the Olympia Opera House, and others, challenging the Metropolitan Opera's dominance. He also composed operettas and songs, often staging his own works on his theaters. His entrepreneurial spirit helped democratize opera, making it more accessible to American audiences. He died in 1919, leaving a cultural legacy that shaped New York’s musical landscape.

Heinrich Berté, born Heinrich Bettelheim in present-day Slovakia, made his career in Vienna. He adapted Franz Schubert's melodies into the 1916 operetta "Das Dreimäderlhaus," which achieved international acclaim. The production spawned numerous stage and film adaptations, bringing Schubert’s music to new audiences. Though he composed other operettas and stage works, none matched the popularity of his Schubert pastiche. Berté’s effective blending of classical themes with theatrical storytelling influenced early 20th-century operetta. He died in 1924, remembered primarily for popularizing Schubert’s repertoire.

Ludvig Karsten was a Norwegian painter born in 1876. He studied art in Paris, where he was influenced by Impressionism and Fauvism. Karsten became known for his vibrant color palette and expressive brushwork, which brought a fresh dynamism to Norwegian painting. He produced landscapes, portraits, and still lifes that captured the energy of his subjects and surroundings. Karsten exhibited widely across Europe, helping to introduce modernist trends to Norway’s art scene alongside contemporaries such as Edvard Munch. Despite personal and professional challenges, his work gained recognition for its innovation and emotional intensity. Karsten died in 1926, but his paintings remain celebrated for their bold expression and artistic vision.

Fernandel, born Fernand Joseph Désiré Contandin, was a beloved French actor and singer known for his comedic talent and trademark grin. Rising to fame in the 1930s, he starred in numerous films and stage productions, often playing lovable everyman characters. His most famous role was the irascible yet endearing priest Don Camillo in a series of films adapted from Giovannino Guareschi's stories. Fernandel also enjoyed success as a singer, recording popular songs that showcased his warm voice. His enduring appeal made him one of France's most iconic entertainers of the mid-20th century.

Born in 1905, Red Nichols was a pioneering cornetist whose innovative style helped define early jazz. He formed the band Red Nichols and His Five Pennies, recording dozens of sides with top musicians of the era. Nichols composed popular tunes, appeared in films, and became a sought-after session musician in New York. His precise technique and melodic approach influenced brass players across genres. Through the Great Depression and beyond, he maintained a busy performance schedule on radio, in nightclubs, and on tour. Nichols's recordings remain classics of the jazz age, celebrated for their blend of swing, hot jazz, and lyrical solos.

Born in 1910, Mary Lou Williams began her musical career at a young age, performing professionally as a pianist in the 1920s. She became one of the few women bandleaders of the swing era, arranging for Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, and Benny Goodman. Williams composed the acclaimed 'Zodiac Suite,' which blended classical forms with jazz improvisation and premiered by the New York Philharmonic. A mentor to bebop pioneers Thelonious Monk and Dizzy Gillespie, she helped shape the sound of modern jazz. In the 1950s, she explored sacred music after converting to Catholicism, creating innovative spiritual jazz compositions. Over a career spanning seven decades, Williams wrote hundreds of works and broke barriers for women in music. She was posthumously inducted into the NEA Jazz Masters Hall of Fame in 1984. Williams passed away in 1981, leaving a groundbreaking legacy.