July 06

Born in Memel in 1580, Johann Stobäus studied music under renowned masters of the early Baroque. He served as a court musician and later as Kapellmeister in the Duchy of Prussia. Stobäus composed both sacred choral works and secular songs, showcasing his versatility. His lute pieces were admired for their expressive melodies and technical intricacy. He published several collections that influenced German Baroque music. Stobäus's compositions remain a testament to the flourishing musical culture of his time.

Born in Pistoia in 1623, Jacopo Melani emerged as a prominent Baroque composer and violinist. He held prestigious positions in Florence and worked under the patronage of the Medici court. Melani composed operas, oratorios, and instrumental sonatas, blending vocal and instrumental traditions. His violin sonatas displayed innovative use of solo violin accompanied by basso continuo. Melani's collaborations contributed to the development of Italian opera. He died in 1676, leaving a rich oeuvre that influenced later Baroque musicians.

Born in Rome in 1678, Haym trained as a cellist and became known for his virtuosic playing. He moved to London, where he worked as a composer, librettist, and impresario. Haym collaborated with Handel and contributed libretti to several of his operas. His compositions included operas, cantatas, and chamber pieces for cello and ensemble. Haym's versatility bridged Italian and English musical traditions. He died in London in 1729, remembered for shaping early 18th-century opera and instrumental music.

Born in Scotland in 1766, Alexander Wilson emigrated to America in 1794. He worked as a schoolteacher and published poetry inspired by nature. Wilson embarked on extensive fieldwork to document the continent’s bird species. Between 1808 and 1813, he released parts of 'American Ornithology', featuring detailed illustrations. His systematic approach laid the groundwork for modern ornithology in the United States. Wilson’s artistry and scientific rigor earned him the title 'Father of American Ornithology'.

Born in Temascalcingo in 1840, José María Velasco studied in Mexico City and Paris, mastering plein air techniques and academic painting. His evocative depictions of volcanoes, lakes, and indigenous life captured the spirit of Mexico’s natural beauty. As a professor and director at the National Academy of San Carlos, he influenced generations of artists and helped shape Mexican artistic identity.

Born in Mexico City in 1846, Ángela Peralta showed prodigious talent from childhood, studying in Italy before debuting at La Scala. Her performances of Bellini, Donizetti, and Verdi roles earned international acclaim. Returning to Mexico, she founded an opera company and elevated the country’s cultural scene. Her career ended tragically when she died of yellow fever during a tour in Veracruz, leaving a legacy as one of Mexico’s greatest vocal artists.

Born in 1865 near Geneva, Émile Jaques-Dalcroze studied at the Conservatoire de Paris before teaching at the Dresden Conservatory. He developed eurhythmics, using rhythmic movement to teach musical concepts, founding the Hellerau Institute in Germany. His approach transformed music pedagogy, influencing dancers and composers worldwide. Dalcroze’s writings and workshops established his reputation as a visionary in arts education.

Born on July 6, 1887, in Liozna, Belarus, Marc Chagall showed artistic talent from a young age, studying in St. Petersburg and later in Paris. His early work blended folk themes with avant-garde styles such as Cubism and Fauvism, creating a distinctive, whimsical aesthetic. Chagall’s paintings often featured floating figures, village scenes, and vibrant colors inspired by Jewish folklore. In the 1930s, he settled in France, but fled to the United States during World War II to escape Nazi persecution. After the war, he returned to France and continued to paint, design stage sets for the Ballets Russes, and create stained glass windows for cathedrals. His legacy includes iconic works like “I and the Village” and commissions at UNESCO and the United Nations. Chagall died in 1985, leaving behind a transformative body of work that continues to inspire artists and audiences worldwide.

Hanns Eisler studied under Alexander Zemlinsky and Arnold Schoenberg before forging a career in Weimar Germany's vibrant cultural scene. He collaborated with Bertolt Brecht to create powerful political songs that became anthems for workers and social movements. Eisler composed film scores, chamber music, and the national anthem of East Germany. Fleeing Nazi persecution, he eventually settled in the United States before returning to East Germany after World War II. His music blends classical techniques with popular and jazz influences. Eisler's commitment to social justice and innovative compositions left a lasting impact on 20th-century music.

Robert Whitney graduated from the Eastman School of Music before serving as conductor in several regional orchestras. In 1937, he founded the Louisville Orchestra, becoming one of the earliest U.S. ensembles to focus on commissioning and recording new works by living composers. Whitney conducted hundreds of premieres and helped launch the careers of modern composers such as Aaron Copland and Walter Piston. His own compositions include orchestral and chamber works that reflect mid-20th-century American styles. Whitney's dedication to contemporary music earned him national recognition and advanced the appreciation of new classical repertoire. He remained active in music education and conducting until his death in 1986.

Born in Mexico City in 1905, Juan O'Gorman emerged as a leading figure in the Mexican muralism movement. Trained in architecture and art, he designed the famous house-studios of Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo. His modernist residences combined practicality and artistic expression, pioneering functional architecture in Mexico. O'Gorman's murals adorned public buildings, blending social themes with bold color palettes. Throughout his career, he bridged the worlds of fine art and structural design, leaving a lasting impact on Mexico's built environment.

Born in Coyoacán, Mexico City, in 1907, Frida Kahlo overcame severe injuries from a bus accident to develop a unique artistic voice. She embraced indigenous Mexican traditions and attire as expressions of national pride and personal identity. Her deeply personal self-portraits blended surrealism with symbolism, exploring themes of gender, suffering, and resilience. Married to fellow artist Diego Rivera, Kahlo's life and work became inseparable, each influencing the other artistically and emotionally. Her paintings have since become global icons, inspiring generations with their bold colors and raw honesty.