September 30 is the birthday of the author of A Christmas Memory, Breakfast at Tiffany's and In Cold Blood, TRUMAN CAPOTE (1924-1984). To see the trailer to the film version of “In Cold Blood,” CLICK HERE.

September 30 is the birthday of 13th century Persian Muslim theologian, Sufi mystic and one of the most popular and most-quoted poets JALAL AD-DIN MUHAMMAD RUMI جلال‌الدین محمد بلخى (1207-1273)! For a beautiful rendition of one of Rumi’s poems, CLICK HERE.

THIS DAY IN HISTORY: On September 30, 1791, Mozart's opera THE MAGIC FLUTE made its debut with a performance at Freihaus-Theater auf der Wieden in Vienna, Austria. To hear the Queen of the Night’s aria from Ingmar Bergman’s film version of “The Magic Flute,” CLICK HERE.

THIS DIN AHISTORY: On September 30, 1863, Georges Bizet's opera Les pêcheurs de perles (The Pearl Fishers), had its premiere in Paris. Set in ancient times on the island of Ceylon (Sri Lanka), the opera tells the story of how two men's vow of eternal friendship is threatened by their love for the same woman, whose own dilemma is the conflict between secular love and her sacred oath as a priestess. The friendship duet "Au fond du temple saint", generally known as "The Pearl Fishers Duet", is one of the best-known in Western opera. To see the trailer for the English National Opera’s production of “The Pearl Fishers,” CLICK HERE.

September 30 is the birthday of Ukrainian-Russian violinist DAVID OISTRAKH (1908-1974). He was a Soviet Russian violinist, violist, and conductor. He was also Professor at the Moscow Conservatory, People's Artist of the USSR (1953), and Laureate of the Lenin Prize (1960). Oistrakh collaborated with major orchestras and musicians from many parts of the world and was the dedicatee of numerous violin works, including both of Dmitri Shostakovich's violin concerti and the violin concerto by Aram Khachaturian. He is considered one of the preeminent violinists of the 20th century. To see and hear Oistrakh perform the finale to Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto, CLICK HERE.

Happy Birthday, JOHNNY MATHIS!! The American singer is 89 years old today. Starting his career with singles of standard music, Mathis became highly popular as an album artist, with several of his albums achieving gold or platinum status and 73 making the Billboard charts. Mathis has received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and has been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame for three recordings.

Mathis is the third best-selling artist of the 20th century, selling 360 million records worldwide. Although frequently described as a romantic singer, his discography includes traditional pop, Latin American, soul, rhythm and blues, show tunes, Tin Pan Alley, soft rock, blues, country music, and even a few disco songs for his album Mathis Magic in 1979. Mathis has also recorded seven albums of Christmas music. In a 1968 interview, he cited Lena Horne, Nat King Cole, and Bing Crosby among his musical influences.

To hear Mathis sing “Stranger in Paradise,” CLICK HERE.