June 18

Born in 1511, Bartolomeo Ammannati trained under Jacopo Sansovino before moving to Florence. He served as court sculptor for Cosimo I de' Medici and produced public monuments. His notable works include Florence's Ponte Santa Trinita and the Fountain of Neptune in the Piazza della Signoria. Ammannati's style blended classical proportions with innovative Mannerist details. His contributions helped define the look of Renaissance Florence before his death in 1592.

Born in 1673 in Majorca, Antonio de Literes became chapel master at the royal court in Madrid. He is best known for his zarzuelas, blending orchestral richness with Spanish folk melodies. His works, such as Acis y Galatea and Júpiter y Semele, shaped the future of Spanish musical theater. Literes directed performances at the Royal Theater and contributed to elaborate court festivities. He died in 1747, leaving a lasting influence on Spain's Baroque musical tradition.

Born in Modena in 1677 to the musical Bononcini family, Antonio Maria excelled as a cellist. He served at the courts of the Duke of Mantua and the Elector of Hanover alongside his brother Giovanni. Antonio composed operas, cantatas, and instrumental works highlighting the cello's expressive range. His style fused Italian melodic elegance with German musical influences encountered during his travels. He died in 1726, remembered for his significant contributions to Baroque string repertoire.

Joseph-Marie Vien was born in Montpellier in 1716 and studied at the Royal Academy in Paris. He became a pioneer of the Neoclassical style with works inspired by classical antiquity. Appointed premier peintre du roi in 1789, he influenced the direction of French art on the eve of the Revolution. Vien taught a generation of painters, including Jacques-Louis David, shaping the next wave of European art. His paintings are noted for their clarity, noble simplicity, and moral themes.

Born in Bohemia in 1717, Johann Stamitz became concertmaster of the Mannheim court orchestra. He introduced dynamic innovations such as the crescendo and unified bowing, which transformed orchestral performance. Stamitz's early symphonies helped establish the four-movement structure that became standard. His work influenced composers like Haydn and Mozart and laid the groundwork for the Classical style. Despite his untimely death at 40, Stamitz's legacy endured through the Mannheim school's impact on European music.

Ignaz Pleyel was born in Austria in 1757 and became a favored pupil of Joseph Haydn. He moved to France in 1782 where his catchy chamber works and operas gained widespread popularity. In 1807, Pleyel founded the Pleyel piano firm in Paris, which became renowned for its high-quality instruments. His innovations helped shape piano manufacturing and the development of the modern piano. Pleyel's music and enterprise left an enduring mark on European musical culture.

Born in 1850, Richard Heuberger emerged as a prominent figure in Vienna's musical scene. He composed several successful operettas and orchestral works, blending melodic charm with witty librettos. Alongside his composition career, he served as a respected music critic for major Austrian newspapers, shaping public taste. His dual role allowed him to champion emerging talents and defend traditional forms against avant-garde trends. Heuberger's writings and compositions contributed to the cultural vibrancy of late 19th-century Vienna. He passed away in 1914, leaving a legacy as both creator and commentator in the world of music.

James Montgomery Flagg began his artistic career as an illustrator for popular magazines in the early 20th century. He gained international fame in 1917 with his design of the 'I Want You for U.S. Army' poster featuring Uncle Sam. Flagg's distinctive style combined bold lines and patriotic imagery, making his work instantly recognizable. He continued to produce illustrations for magazines, advertisements, and postage stamps over a career spanning six decades. His posters and portraits captured the spirit of his era and remain a seminal part of American visual culture.

Louis Alter was an American composer and pianist celebrated for popular songs and film scores. Born in 1902, he began his career as a pianist in Broadway musicals. Alter wrote enduring standards such as 'Manhattan Serenade' and 'Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans?' His music featured in Hollywood films and radio shows throughout the mid-20th century. He collaborated with lyricists like Oscar Hammerstein II and Sidney D. Mitchell. Alter's contributions helped shape the American popular music landscape.

Jeanette MacDonald was an American singer and film actress renowned for her operetta and musical films. She rose to fame in the 1930s with a series of musicals opposite Maurice Chevalier and Nelson Eddy. MacDonald became one of the highest-paid movie stars of the era. Her clear soprano voice and graceful screen presence endeared her to audiences worldwide. She also performed on Broadway and radio, showcasing her vocal talent beyond film. MacDonald's romantic onscreen pairings and melodic performances left a lasting mark on Hollywood musicals.

Born in Alsace, Manuel Rosenthal became one of France's leading conductors and composers. He served as assistant to Maurice Ravel and premiered several of Ravel's works. Rosenthal led prestigious orchestras such as the Paris Opera and the Orchestre National de France. He composed ballets, operettas, and orchestral suites, blending impressionist and modernist styles. His recordings of Saint-Saëns' Carnival of the Animals remain highly acclaimed. Rosenthal taught at the Paris Conservatoire, influencing generations of musicians. He was awarded the Legion of Honor for his services to French music.

Eduard Tubin was one of Estonia's foremost 20th-century composers. He studied at the St. Petersburg Conservatory before returning to Estonia. Tubin's symphonies and orchestral poems reflect Estonian folklore and landscapes. After fleeing Soviet occupation, he continued his career in Sweden. He conducted Swedish orchestras and integrated Baltic themes into his music. His output includes ballets, operas, and chamber works showcasing lyrical melodies. Tubin's legacy is celebrated at the annual Tubin Festival in Estonia.