March 12 — On This Day in Opera

Birth of Belgian singer and actress Tavie Belge (Octavie Belloy), who trained as a vocalist and performed with the Royal Flemish Opera early in her career.

Birth of American operatic tenor Eugene Conley, who later sang with major houses including La Scala and made his Metropolitan Opera debut in 1950.

At the Metropolitan Opera (New York), a triple bill introduced the world premieres of Joseph Carl Breil’s "The Legend" and John Adam Hugo’s "The Temple Dancer" (with Cadman’s "Shanewis" also on the program).

Birth of American lyric soprano and operetta star Anna Russell.

Birth of American operatic soprano Junetta Jones, who won the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions and debuted at the Met in 1963.

Death of Brazilian soprano Bidu Sayão, a beloved lyric star of the Metropolitan Opera in the 1930s–40s, noted for roles such as "Manon" and "La bohème"’s Mimì.

Death of Swedish mezzo-soprano Kerstin Meyer, renowned for her Wagner and modern opera roles.