French dramatic mezzo-soprano, composer and pianist Pauline Viardot was born #OTD in 1821.
Viardot made her operatic debut in 1839 in London. She performed in a wide range of operas, including works by Rossini, Bellini, Donizetti, and Meyerbeer. Viardot was a muse and collaborator to many composers and writers, including Ivan Turgenev. She was influential in the music community, promoting works by young composers such as Johannes Brahms and Gabriel Fauré.