When @PlacidoDomingo played Verdi's Simon Boccanegra 17 years ago today he thought it would be a one-off performance. Instead, his magnificent portrayal of the pirate turned doge became a milestone in his glorious career as the first of a long line of baritone roles on which he put his special stamp. Vocal distinction apart, his deeply human interpretation of Boccanegra both as an anguished father searching for his lost daughter and a statesman troubled by political strife earned him rave reviews after his debut at Staatsoper Berlin on 24th October 2009. Incidentally, the evening's conductor was Daniel Barenboim, who had first suggested playing Boccanegra to his friend Domingo. And he was absolutely right: there is only one Boccanegra and it's Plácido Domingo. Check him out reading the riot act to his fellow citizens in Genoa. youtu.be/x9yEC6xVPd0?is=XEYi…

He won an Oscar for it in the 1960s but disdainfully used the statuette as a door stopper because he felt the song's commercial success overshadowed his more serious compositions. One of Greece's most iconic composers, Manos Hatzidakis, after "Never on Sunday" with Melina Mercouri turned into a global hit: "I don't care about fame. It imprisons me within its own limitations, not mine." Hatzidakis is credited with elevating Greek music through classical orchestration and lyrical inspiration from folk tunes. Happy 101st birthday Manos, every piece of your music is legendary! youtu.be/ZAh-RA6IjRQ?is=FscR…