March 31 - Joseph Haydn (The Musical Birthday Series, 2nd Annual Cycle)

Joseph Haydn (31 March 1732 – 31 May 1809) was one of the great composers of the late 18th century.
[For last year's set of limericks on Haydn click here.]

Willing and Abel

“In those [Bach-Abel] concerts, many celebrated guest artists appeared, and many works of Haydn received their first English performance.” Wikipedia

Herr Haydn, who knew there was wit in

The symphony he had just written,

Was able to cobble

A deal with Herr Abel

To get a performance in Britain.

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 [Also, please visit my other blog: Alternate Tales: Great Art Repurposed.] 

March 30 - Celine Dion (The Musical Birthday Series, 2nd Annual Cycle)

Celine Dion (b. 30 March 1968) is a Canadian pop singer.
[For last year's celebration of John Stafford Smith click here.]

O CANADA!

Celine Dion, the tall, the loud,

The mighty favorite of the crowd,

Singing high notes so volcanic

They could have sunk the great Titanic,

Flailing like a wounded stork,

Getting ready to uncork

A brand new key, a final verse,

They’ll hear throughout the universe.

(If you enjoy these posts, please help me, and consider sharing.

 [Also, please visit my other blog: Alternate Tales: Great Art Repurposed.]

March 29 - Astrud Gilberto (The Musical Birthday Series, 2nd Annual Cycle)

Astrud Gilberto (b. 29 March 1940) is a Brazilian samba and bossa nova singer.
[For last year's parody in honor of Albert von Tilzer click here.]

Debutante

"She sang on two tracks on the influential 1963 album Getz/Gilberto... despite having never sung professionally before this recording. The 1964 single version of  "The Girl from Ipanema"... taken from the 1963 album... sold over one million copies... ." -- Wikipedia

Astrud Gilberto (Brazilian),

Whose very first song sold a million,

Was prone to the view

That such a debut

Was better than any cotillion.

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 [Also, please visit my other blog: Alternate Tales: Great Art Repurposed.]

 

March 28 - Lady Gaga (The Musical Birthday Series, 2nd Annaul Cycle)

Lady Gaga (b. 28 March 1986) is an American singer and actor.
[For last year's entry for Paul Whiteman click here.]

Gagagavoom

Lady Gaga, with each re-invention,

Explores yet another dimension,

And that is the saga

That defines Lady Gaga

In her ever-surprising ascension.

(If you enjoy these posts, please help me, and consider sharing.

 [Also, please visit my other blog: Alternate Tales: Great Art Repurposed.] 

March 27 - Sarah Vaughan (The Musical Birthday Series, 2nd Annual Cycle)

Sarah Vaughan (27 March 1924 – 3 April 1990) was one of the greatest American jazz singers of all time.
[For last year's very unlikely celebration of Antonio Squarcialupi click here.]

Declaration

While singers have come and have gone,

This cannot be said of Miss Vaughan.

I hereby declare an

Observance for Sarah,

While imprinting my seal thereupon.

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 [Also, please visit my other blog: Alternate Tales: Great Art Repurposed.] 

March 26 - Pierre Boulez; Diana Ross (The Musical Birthday Series, 2nd Annual Cycle)

Pierre Boulez (26 March 1925 – 5 January 2016) was one of the foremost composers and conductors of his time. 
[For last year's concoction, also on Pierre Boulez click here.]

Pierreless

I’m suspicious when anyone says

That of all of la musique française,

The music they’d choose

To sooth and amuse

Is written by Monsieur Boulez.

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

 

Diana Ross (b. 26 March 1944) is an American singer, actress, and record producer. 

Flexibility

"Ms. Ross is the only female artist to have number one singles as a solo artist; as the other half of a duet (Lionel Richie); as a member of a trio (the Supremes); and, as an ensemble member (We are the World-USA for Africa)." -- Wikipedia  

Miss Ross wasn’t thrown for a loop

No matter the size of the group.

Of awards on her shelf

There are those for herself,

And a trio, duet, and a troop.

(If you enjoy these posts, please help me, and consider sharing.

 [Also, please visit my other blog: Alternate Tales: Great Art Repurposed.] 

 

March 25 - Elton John; Anita Bryant (The Musical Birthday Series, 2nd Annual Cycle)

Elton John (b. 25 March 1947) is an English singer, songwriter, pianist, and composer.

Anita Bryant (b. 25 March 1940) is an American singer and anti-gay rights activist.

[For last year's bit of nonsense on Béla Bartók click here.]

Apples and... Oranges

It’s ironic Elton John,

  Superstar and music giant,

Happened to be born upon

  The birthday of Anita Bryant.

Bryant’s lifelong work derailed,

  One could say that it miscarried,

Meantime, Elton John is hailed

   With his husband, duly married.

(If you enjoy these posts, please help me, and consider sharing.

 [Also, please visit my other blog: Alternate Tales: Great Art Repurposed.]