Category: Anniversaries

Giacomo Puccini (1858-1924) was an Italian composer known primarily for his operas. Regarded as the greatest and most successful proponent of Italian opera after Verdi, he was descended from a long line of composers, stemming from the late Baroque era. His greatest successes were: La Bohème (1896), Tosca (1900), Madama Butterfly (1904) and Turandot (left … Continue reading “Giacomo Puccini – centenary”

Quentin Crisp (1908-1999) [born Denis Charles Pratt] was an English raconteur, whose work in the public eye included a memoir of his life and various media appearances. Before becoming well known, he was an artist’s model, hence the title of his most famous work, ‘The Naked Civil Servant’. He afterwards became a gay icon due … Continue reading “25th anniversary of the death of Quentin Crisp”

Post submitted by Ella, one of our Student Experience Ambassadors 4 November 2024 marks the centenary of death of the French composer Gabriel Fauré. He was renowned for his refined and gentle pieces which have influenced the course of modern French music. As one of the most influential French composers, he linked the end of Romanticism … Continue reading “100th anniversary of the death of Gabriel Fauré”

Frances Hodgson Burnett (1849-1924) was born in Cheetham Hill, Manchester. Sadly her father, an ironmonger with his own business in Deansgate, died when Frances was four years old and while her mother was pregnant with her fifth child. From her grandmother, who bought her books, Frances learned to love reading, in particular her first book, The … Continue reading “Frances Hodgson Burnett – centenary”

Gustav Holst, b Cheltenham (1874-1924), was an English composer, arranger and teacher whose suite ‘The Planets’ is one of the best-known pieces of classical music ever written. Holst’s works were played frequently in the early years of the 20th century, but it was not until the international success of The Planets in the years immediately after the … Continue reading “150th anniversary of the birth of Gustav Holst”

Anton Bruckner (1824-1896) was an Austrian composer and organist, best known for his symphonies and sacred music. His compositions helped to define contemporary musical radicalism, with their dissonances, unprepared modulations and roving harmonies. He is best known for Symphonies Nos 3 to 9 – each of them has a distinctive character but all have common … Continue reading “Bicentenary of the birth of Anton Bruckner”

The British-American post-war film ‘The Third Man’, which was shot in Vienna, celebrated its world premiere in London in 1949 and was successful all over the world. By composing the film music, Viennese Heurigen musician Anton Karas became a world star overnight. Written by Graham Greene, directed by Carol Reed and starring, among others, Joseph … Continue reading “75th anniversary of the UK premiere of ‘The Third Man’”

George Stubbs ARA (1724-1806) was an English painter, best known for his paintings of horses. Self-trained, Stubbs learnt his skills independently from other great artists of the 18th century such as Reynolds and Gainsborough. Early clients for his sporting and racing paintings included many of the noblemen who founded the Jockey Club. Stubbs spent his … Continue reading “George Stubbs 300th anniversary”

Joseph Conrad (1857-1924), born Józef Teodor Konrad Korzeniowski, was a Polish-British novelist, regarded as one of the greatest writers in the English language, although he did not speak English fluently until his twenties. He wrote novels and stories, many in nautical settings, that depict crises of human individuality in the midst of what he saw … Continue reading “Joseph Conrad – centenary”