November 9 - Thomas Quasthoff; Bryn Terfel; Anna Amalia of Prussia (The Musical Birthday Series)

Thomas Quasthoff (b. 9 November 1959) is an esteemed German bass-baritone.

Bryn Terfel (b. 9 November 1965) is a beloved Walsh bass-baritone.

Nativity

Though unalike in many ways

These basses share their natal days,

So here’s to you, Thomas and Bryn,

Though unalike, in this akin.

♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪♫♪   


Anna Amalia (9 November 1723 – 30 March 1787) was Princess of Prussia and Abbess of 
Quedlinburg. She was a composer and collector of music.

A double dactyl is a biographically inspired humorous poem with very strict structural rules.   

Here are links to two definitions for those who are curious.  The first from the  
Poetry Foundation is clearer but less accurate than the second, from Wikipedia.  Take 
your pick.  The classic statement is the book Jiggery-Pokery:  A Compendium of 
Double Dactyls by Anthony Hecht and John Hollander (New York, 1967).
 

Double Dactyl for A. A.

Higgledy-piggledy 

Anna Amalia,

Sister of Friedrich the

Second (or Great).

Had a collection which

Encyclopedically

Gathered the scores of the

Musical great.

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