August 18

Born in Lombardy, Francesco quickly established himself as one of the finest lute players of his time. His works, often titled "fantasias" or "ricercars", showcased advanced counterpoint and expressive melodies that influenced generations of lute and keyboard composers. He served at the courts of Milan, Rome, and Ferrara, earning the nickname "Il Divino" for his exceptional talent. His composition style blended technical mastery with lyrical beauty, making his music a staple for lutenists across Europe. Collections of his works were widely circulated, and his innovative approach to lute writing helped define the instrument’s golden age.

Born into the prolific Galli da Bibiena family, Ferdinando pioneered Baroque theatre architecture across Europe. He revolutionized stage design with multi-perspective scenography, creating immersive theatrical backdrops. His architectural works and written treatises influenced court theatres in Italy, Austria, and beyond. Ferdinando's blend of painting and structural vision set new standards for spectacle and spatial illusion. His legacy endures in the evolution of stagecraft and the study of Baroque design.

Born in Legnago, Salieri moved to Vienna and became court composer for the Habsburgs. He produced over forty operas, sacred works, and instrumental pieces, earning acclaim across Europe. As Kapellmeister, he championed Gluck's operatic reforms and influenced the Viennese musical scene. Salieri mentored composers such as Beethoven, Schubert, and Liszt, leaving a lasting pedagogical legacy. Long overshadowed by myths of rivalry with Mozart, modern scholarship celebrates his craftsmanship and innovation.

Alfred Wallis was born in 1855 in St Ives, Cornwall, and spent his early years as a fisherman and merchant seaman. After retiring from the sea in 1922, he began painting coastal scenes on scraps of cardboard and wood. His straightforward, untrained style—flat perspectives and muted tones—captured the spirit of maritime life. In 1928, younger artists Ben Nicholson and Christopher Wood discovered his work and introduced it to the London art world. Wallis’s paintings influenced the development of British modernism and naive art movements. Despite little formal recognition during his lifetime, his works are now held in major collections, including the Tate Gallery. He died in 1942, leaving a lasting legacy as a pioneer of outsider art.

Born in Germany in 1869, Carl Rungius emigrated to the United States and became one of North America's foremost wildlife painters. He studied in European academies before joining hunting expeditions that inspired his signature animal portraits. His works are admired for their realism and dynamic composition, capturing elk, moose, and grizzly bears in natural settings. Rungius also taught at art schools and mentored young artists passionate about nature. His paintings remain highly sought after and continue to influence generations of wildlife and conservation art.

Ernest MacMillan was born in 1893 and became one of Canada's most influential musicians. He studied in Europe before returning home to lead the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and direct the Toronto Conservatory of Music. A prolific composer, his works include orchestral, choral, and chamber pieces that blend classical tradition with Canadian themes. Knighted in 1935, he championed music education and brought performances to a national audience through broadcasts. MacMillan's leadership helped establish Canada's reputation on the international musical stage until his death in 1973.

Adamson-Eric (1902–1968) was a leading Estonian painter, textile designer, and interior decorator of the 20th century. Educated at the Hamburg Art School and the Parisian academies, he absorbed influences from Art Deco and modernist movements. His work spanned portraiture, landscapes, stage design, and applied arts, showcasing bold colors and stylized forms. Adamson-Eric co-founded the Pallas art school in Tartu and contributed to Estonia's cultural awakening during the interwar period. His pieces are celebrated for their elegance and have been exhibited in museums across Estonia and Europe.

Lucienne Boyer (1903–1983) was a popular French singer who gained fame in the 1930s. Her smooth, emotive voice brought international success to hits like 'Parlez-moi d'amour,' which became a signature song. Boyer performed in Parisian cabarets and on radio broadcasts, captivating audiences with her elegant stage presence. During World War II, she entertained troops and continued to record music that offered solace to listeners. After the war, she hosted her own television program and toured across Europe. Boyer's legacy endures as a symbol of prewar French chanson and romantic melody.

Enoch Light (1905–1978) was a pioneering American musician and recording engineer who specialized in high-fidelity stereo recordings. He formed the Light Brigade Orchestra in the 1950s, producing instrumental albums that showcased his arrangements and engineering prowess. Light was a technical innovator, experimenting with multi-track recording and sound spatialization to create immersive listening experiences. His Commander Records label released acclaimed series such as Persuasive Percussion and Provocative Percussion, influencing audio production standards. A skilled violinist by training, Light combined musical artistry with cutting-edge recording techniques. His work earned him multiple Grammy nominations and a lasting impact on the audiophile community.

Marcel Carné (1906–1996) was a leading French film director and screenwriter known for his contributions to poetic realism. He collaborated with writer Jacques Prévert on classics such as Les Enfants du Paradis and Quai des Brumes. Carné's films often depicted marginalized characters navigating love and fate against atmospheric backdrops. His directorial style combined lyrical visuals with socially conscious themes, influencing filmmakers across Europe. Over a career spanning more than five decades, he directed over 40 films and received international acclaim. Carné's legacy endures in the canon of world cinema as a master of mood and narrative depth.

Curtis Jones (1906–1971) was an influential American blues pianist and singer who performed in juke joints and on street corners. Born in Texas, he learned piano by watching older musicians and developed a distinctive barrelhouse technique. Jones recorded classics like 'Lonesome Bedroom Blues' and 'Low Down Blues' in the 1930s, capturing raw emotion and sparse accompaniment. His work bridged rural and urban blues traditions, influencing later pianists such as Otis Spann and Big Maceo. After World War II, he moved to Chicago and continued performing in clubs, maintaining a loyal following. Jones's recordings remain prized examples of early solo blues piano.

Herman Berlinski was born in Leipzig to a Jewish family and fled Nazi Germany in 1939, eventually settling in the United States. He studied at the Jewish Theological Seminary and Columbia University, blending classical composition with Jewish liturgical traditions. Berlinski composed numerous choral works, organ pieces, and orchestral suites, often reflecting themes of exile and faith. As a pianist, he performed and recorded his own compositions, bringing Jewish music to wider audiences. He taught at the Jewish Theological Seminary for decades, influencing generations of musicians.