July 19

Richard Leveridge emerged as a leading bass singer in the early 18th century English opera scene. He performed in works by Purcell and Handel, gaining fame for his powerful voice and stage presence. Leveridge composed songs, catches, and operas, blending dramatic flair with memorable melodies. His collections, such as 'The Banquet of Music', were popular in London coffeehouses and theaters. He served as a musician at court and influenced the development of English vocal music. Leveridge continued performing into his later years, leaving a lasting mark on baroque performance practice.

Giuseppe Castiglione joined the Jesuit order and was sent to China as a missionary and artist in 1715. At the Qing court, he became the favorite painter of emperors Kangxi, Yongzheng, and Qianlong. Castiglione introduced Western techniques like chiaroscuro and linear perspective to Chinese painting. He created grand portraits, battle scenes, and decorative works that fused European realism with traditional Chinese aesthetics. Beyond painting, he advised on court ceremonies and contributed to military engineering projects. His unique style influenced generations of Chinese artists and remains celebrated in both East and West.

Marianna Auenbrugger displayed exceptional talent on the piano from a young age in Vienna. She composed sonatas and chamber works that impressed her contemporaries, including Haydn. Her performances showcased technical brilliance and expressive depth uncommon for her age. Auenbrugger’s career was cut short by her untimely death at twenty-three. She left a small but remarkable body of work that foreshadowed developments in classical piano music. Her dedication and artistry earned her a place among Austria’s promising young musicians of her era.

John Martin was born in Haydon Bridge in 1789 and began exhibiting at the Royal Academy by 1816. He earned acclaim for his vast, dramatic compositions such as "The Great Day of His Wrath" and "The Plains of Heaven". Collaborating with engravers, he published prints that popularized his visionary themes and influenced 19th-century visual culture. His mastery of light, scale, and atmospheric effects made him a leading figure of the Romantic movement. Martin's work left a lasting impact on landscape painting and illustration until his death in 1854.

Edgar Degas was born in Paris in 1834 and trained at the École des Beaux-Arts under Ingres and Delacroix. A key figure in the Impressionist movement, he focused on studio studies of dancers, café scenes, and women at work. Degas mastered painting, pastel, and sculpture, producing iconic works such as "The Dance Class" and his bronze "Little Dancer of Fourteen Years". His innovative compositions and perspectives captured the spontaneity of modern life in 19th-century Paris. Though he exhibited with the Impressionists, he retained a classical emphasis on draftsmanship until his death in 1917.

Florence Foster Jenkins was born in 1868 in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, into a wealthy family. Though lacking formal vocal training, she pursued opera singing as a passionate hobby. Jenkins hosted private recitals before making her public debut at Carnegie Hall in 1944 to a sold-out audience. Her renditions of opera arias were marked by expressive gestures rather than technical precision, earning her a devoted following. She recorded songs that highlight her unique blend of confidence and vocal flaws. Jenkins actively supported musical charities and taught voice lessons. Her story has been immortalized in books and films that celebrate her unshakable optimism. She passed away later in 1944, but her legacy endures as a symbol of artistic audacity.

Max Fleischer was a trailblazing animator who co-founded Fleischer Studios with his brother Dave in 1921. Born in what is now Poland, he emigrated to the United States as a child and embraced the new art form of animation. Fleischer invented the rotoscope, a device that allowed animators to trace live-action footage for more lifelike movement. His studio created iconic characters such as Koko the Clown, Betty Boop, Popeye, and the first Superman cartoons. At the height of his career, Fleischer's films rivaled Disney's output and pushed the boundaries of visual storytelling. Despite financial struggles during the 1930s, his contributions set the stage for the golden age of American animation. Fleischer later moved his operations to Miami, but his innovative spirit remained influential. He passed away in 1972, leaving a rich legacy in cartoon history.

Born in Yixing, Jiangsu, in 1895, Xu Beihong studied Western art techniques in Paris and Berlin. He fused Chinese brushwork with Western realism in subjects like horses and birds. As an educator, he led the National Beiping Art School and later the Central Academy of Fine Arts. Xu organized exhibitions at home and abroad, promoting Chinese art on the global stage. His work symbolized China’s cultural identity and modern artistic movements. He passed away in 1953, leaving a profound influence on 20th-century art and art education.

Born in 1902, Samudrala Sr. began his career as a playback singer in South Indian films. He transitioned to screenwriting, penning scripts rich in folklore and mythology. As a director and producer, he brought popular tales to the screen during the 1940s and 1950s. His work helped define the golden era of Telugu cinema and inspire future filmmakers. Samudrala’s lyrical skills extended to dialogue and narrative structure, shaping his films’ success. He remained active for over two decades and mentored emerging talent before his death in 1968.

Born in Helsinki, Hellman studied at the Finnish Academy of Fine Arts in the 1930s. He gained acclaim for his nuanced still lifes and intimate portraits capturing light and texture. Hellman served as a professor of painting at the Academy, mentoring younger artists. His work was exhibited widely in Finland and abroad from the 1940s onward. He received multiple state awards and was honored with a lifetime achievement prize. Hellman's style blended realism with a lyrical sensitivity to daily subjects. He continued to paint and exhibit well past his centennial birthday. Hellman's paintings remain influential in Finnish modern art.

Born in New York City in 1920, Robert Mann studied violin at the Juilliard School, where he became a founding member of the Juilliard String Quartet in 1946. As its first violinist, he performed, recorded, and premiered countless chamber works, championing both classical and contemporary composers. Beyond performance, Mann composed solo and chamber pieces, demonstrating his skill as a composer and arranger. He served on the Juilliard faculty for over 60 years, mentoring generations of violinists and chamber musicians. His leadership in concerts worldwide, bridging performance and pedagogy, earned him numerous honors, including the Chamber Music America Visionary Award. Mann continued to influence music until his death in 2018.

Sue Thompson (1925–2021) was an American singer whose smooth vocals bridged pop and country genres. She achieved her biggest success in 1961 with the Top 5 singles 'Sad Movies (Make Me Cry)' and 'Norman.' Born in Missouri, she began performing on radio shows at the age of 15 and honed her craft in local clubs. Over her career, she recorded multiple albums and charted on both pop and country charts, collaborating with artists like Willie Nelson. Thompson continued to perform and record throughout her later years, leaving a legacy of crossover country-pop music.