Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Today in Music History for Jan. 15: In 1882, tenor Henry Burr (born Harry McClaskey), the most prolific recording artist of his era, was born in St. Stephen, N.B. He recorded an estimated 12,000 titles from 1902 to about 1930.

Today in Music History for Jan. 14: In 1790, the first operatic work to be performed in Canada, "Colas et Colinette ou le Bailli Dupe," premiered in Montreal. In 1900, Puccini's opera "Tosca" had its world premiere in Rome.

Celebrity Birthdays for Jan. 14: Singer Caterina Valente is 93. Olympic alpine skier Lucille Wheeler is 89. Blues singer Clarence Carter is 88. Singer Jack Jones is 86. Actress Faye Dunaway is 83.

Today in History for Jan. 14: In 1529, Spanish diplomat and writer Juan de Valdes published his Dialogue on Christian Doctrine. It paved the way for Protestant ideas in Spain.

Celebrity Birthdays for Jan. 13: TV personality Nick Clooney is 90. Actor Charlie Brill is 86. Actor Billy Gray (``Father Knows Best'') is 86. John Lees, lead guitarist with Barclay James Harvest, is 77. Guitarist Trevor Rabin of Yes is 70.

Today in Music History for Jan. 13: In 1501, Christianity's first vernacular hymnal was printed in Prague, capital of the present-day Czech Republic. It contained 89 hymns in the Czech language.

Today in History for Jan. 13: In 1691, Englishman George Fox, founder of the Society of Friends, or Quakers, died. In 1695, satirist Jonathan Swift, author of "Gulliver's Travels," was ordained an Anglican priest in Ireland.

Celebrity Birthdays for Jan. 17: Actor James Earl Jones is 93. Talk show host Maury Povich is 85. Singer Chris Montez is 82. French singer-songwriter Francoise Hardy is 80. Actress Joanna David ("Downton Abbey") is 77.

Celebrity Birthdays for Jan. 18: Movie director John Boorman is 91. Jazz pianist and bassist Don Thompson is 84. Singer-songwriter Bobby Goldsboro is 83. Comedian-singer Brett Hudson of the Hudson Brothers is 71. Actor-director Kevin Costner is 69.

Celebrity Birthdays for Jan. 14: Singer Caterina Valente is 93. Olympic alpine skier Lucille Wheeler is 89. Blues singer Clarence Carter is 88. Singer Jack Jones is 86. Actress Faye Dunaway is 83.