July 15

Born in Bologna in 1560, Annibale Carracci revolutionized Italian painting alongside his brother Agostino and cousin Ludovico. He co-founded the Accademia degli Incamminati, which emphasized naturalism and classical harmony. Annibale's masterpieces include the grand frescoes in the Palazzo Farnese in Rome, completed between 1597 and 1608. His work bridged Renaissance ideals and the emerging Baroque style, influencing generations of artists across Europe. He also produced detailed drawings and etchings that showcased his skill in composition and anatomy before his death in 1609.

Girolamo Rainaldi was born in 1570 and became a prominent architect in early 17th-century Rome. He worked on churches, palaces, and urban projects, often blending Renaissance symmetry with emerging Baroque elements. His notable works include contributions to Palazzo Ludovisi and the Church of Santa Maria in Vallicella. Rainaldi's designs influenced a generation of architects, including his son Carlo Rainaldi. He served several popes and patrons, leaving a legacy of elegant and balanced architectural compositions before his death in 1655.

Charles-André van Loo was born in 1705 into a renowned family of artists. He became one of the foremost painters of the Rococo era in France, serving as court painter to King Louis XV. His work is celebrated for its refined color palette, graceful compositions, and portrayal of high society. He traveled to Italy to study classical art, which influenced his later style. Van Loo produced an extensive body of religious, mythological, and portrait paintings. His commissions included works for royal palaces and churches. He died in 1765, leaving a legacy that influenced French art for decades.

Jacques Duphly was a pioneering harpsichord player and composer born in 1715 in Rouen, France. He studied with prominent teachers in Paris and became known for his elegant and expressive keyboard compositions. Duphly published four books of harpsichord music, which captured the transition from Baroque to early Classical style. His works are valued for their melodic charm, intricate ornamentation, and emotional depth. Little is known about his later life, but his pieces remain staples in the harpsichord repertoire. Duphly died in 1789, leaving behind music that continues to enchant early music enthusiasts.

Jean-Antoine Houdon, born in 1741, was a leading sculptor of the Neoclassical movement in France. He studied at the Royal Academy in Paris and won the prestigious Prix de Rome, allowing him to work in Italy. Houdon created celebrated busts and statues of key Enlightenment figures, including Voltaire, Diderot, and Benjamin Franklin. His sculptures are noted for their realistic detail, expressive realism, and technical mastery of marble and bronze. Houdon also produced public monuments and portrait medallions. He passed away in 1828, leaving a profound impact on portrait sculpture.

Carl Czerny was born in 1791 in Vienna and became a prodigy under the tutelage of Ludwig van Beethoven. He achieved fame as a concert pianist in Europe and later devoted himself to teaching. Czerny wrote thousands of piano exercises and études, many of which remain essential to technical training. His compositions include symphonies, concertos, chamber music, and piano sonatas, though his pedagogical works are his most enduring legacy. He taught celebrated pianists such as Franz Liszt. Czerny passed away in 1857, remembered as the 'Father of the Piano School.'

Alexander Andreyevich Ivanov was born in 1806 and studied at the Imperial Academy of Arts in St. Petersburg. He gained acclaim for his grand religious paintings, most notably 'The Appearance of Christ Before the People,' a masterpiece he worked on for over two decades. Ivanov's art blended Neoclassical form with deep spiritual themes. He also produced portraits and genre scenes that reflected Russian life. As a professor, he influenced generations of Russian artists. Ivanov died in 1858, leaving a legacy as one of Russia's foremost painters of the 19th century.

Born in 1845 in Veszprém, Hungary, Leopold Auer studied under Joseph Joachim and quickly established himself as a leading violinist in Europe. He joined the faculty of the Saint Petersburg Conservatory, where his teaching shaped legendary musicians such as Jascha Heifetz and Mischa Elman. Auer arranged and composed numerous works for violin, offering fresh interpretations of classical repertoire. As conductor of the Imperial Russian Musical Society, he championed orchestral music across Russia. His warm tone and emphasis on musicality left an enduring mark on violin performance practice.

Freddie Keppard (1890–1933) emerged as one of the first great jazz soloists during the early New Orleans jazz era. He led the Original Creole Orchestra, which brought jazz to northern audiences in the 1910s and 1920s. Known for his bold tone and inventive improvisations, he influenced contemporaries like Louis Armstrong. Keppard famously declined to make recordings early in his career, fearing others would copy his style. Despite limited recordings, his work helped shape the development of jazz. His legacy endures in the foundations of modern jazz performance.

Walter Donaldson (1893–1947) was a prolific American Tin Pan Alley songwriter whose melodies became jazz standards. He co-wrote classics such as 'My Blue Heaven,' 'Makin' Whoopee,' and 'Yes Sir, That's My Baby.' Donaldson's songs were recorded by Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, and numerous other artists, cementing his place in popular music history. Before his songwriting career, he served in World War I as a soldier, which influenced his perspective on life and art. He partnered with lyricists like Gus Kahn to craft enduring tunes that bridged vaudeville and Tin Pan Alley traditions. His work continues to be celebrated in jazz and pop repertoires worldwide.

Ernest Bloch (1880–1959) was born in Geneva and became one of the 20th century's most distinct voices in classical music. His compositions, including Schelomo and Baal Shem, draw deeply on Jewish liturgical and folk melodies. Bloch emigrated to the United States in 1916 and taught at the Cleveland Institute of Music and later at the University of California, Berkeley. He combined Romantic expressiveness with modernist techniques, influencing generations of American composers. Bloch also authored essays on music theory, advocating for authenticity and emotional honesty in composition. His legacy endures through recordings, performances, and his substantial contribution to Jewish-themed concert works.

Lawrence Tibbett (1896–1960) was an American baritone celebrated for his powerful voice and charismatic stage presence. He debuted at the Metropolitan Opera in 1923 and became a leading figure in operatic repertoire. Tibbett performed signature roles like Tonio in Pagliacci and was beloved by audiences worldwide. He appeared in Hollywood films and on national radio, helping to popularize opera in the U.S. Beyond singing, he produced music programs and taught young artists through summer camps. His recordings and legacy continue to inspire baritones and opera enthusiasts today.