August 19 — On This Day in Opera

British composer and conductor Ian Parrott's opera "The Black Ram" received its first performance at the National Eisteddfod of Wales.

Death of Italian composer, singer, and kapellmeister Vincenzo Maria Righini, known for his contributions to opera buffa and as a kapellmeister in several European courts.

Romanian composer George Enescu was born in Liveni, Romania. His major operatic achievement was "Œdipe", a four-act lyric tragedy that later received its world premiere at the Paris Opéra.

American composer and conductor Robert Heger was born in Strasbourg. His stage works included the operas "Ein Fest auf Haderslev", "Der Bettler Namenlos", and "Der verlorene Sohn".

American baritone Lawrence Tibbett was born in Bakersfield, California. One of the Metropolitan Opera's leading American singers, he created several roles in American operas and became particularly celebrated for Verdi repertoire.

American soprano and stage director Janet Baker was born in Hatfield, Pennsylvania. She later performed with American opera companies and developed a career as a director and educator.

Death of Norwegian opera singer and voice teacher Ina Madsen in Copenhagen.

American mezzo-soprano Jan DeGaetani was born in Massillon, Ohio. Although particularly renowned for contemporary concert music, she also appeared in opera and championed twentieth-century vocal repertoire.

Death of Italian operatic soprano Ilva Ligabue, renowned for her portrayal of Alice Ford in *Falstaff*.

American mezzo-soprano and contralto Maralin Niska died in Santa Fe, New Mexico. She sang more than 300 performances at the Metropolitan Opera in roles ranging from "Carmen" to the Marschallin in "Der Rosenkavalier".