Sergei, or Serge, Diaghilev is a dance history icon, having founded the Ballets Russes in 1909 with the intention of bringing ballet to the general public instead of just the aristocracy. He was a pioneer, creating modern ballets with uncoventional musical scores. With the Ballets Russes, Diaghilev

Clever, Complex, Epic, Event, Pioneering

Rossini's parents expected the future composer to get right to work -- they enrolled him in music lessons at the age of four. The young Rossini started writing compositions as a teenager; by the time he was in his 20s, he had already written more than seven operas. In 1812, Italy's most important ope

Bombast, Dramatic, Epic, Funny, Sardonic

Epic, Grand, Moody, Pathos

In 1941 (or so he insists), Plácido Domingo was literally born into Zarzuela, Spain's popular operetta tradition. His father, Plácido Domingo, Sr., and his mother, Pepita Embil -- both Zarzuela stars -- moved the family from Madrid to Mexico to create their own Compañía de Opereta y Zarzu

Charming, Epic, Grand, Opulent, Pathos