Today in History and Celebrity Birthdays

Celebrity Birthdays for April 15: Actress Claudia Cardinale ("Son of the Pink Panther") is 87. British singer-songwriter Marty Wilde (born Reginald Smith) is 86. Author and politician Jeffrey Archer is 85. Singer-guitarist Dave Edmunds is 81.

Today in Music History for April 15: In 1729, composer J.S. Bach conducted the premiere performance of his ``St. Matthew Passion'' at St. Thomas Church in Leipzig, Germany.

Today in History for April 15: On this date: In 1452, Leonardo da Vinci was born in Vinci, Italy. He would go on to paint some historic religious scenes, most specifically ``The Last Supper,'' as well as the iconic ``Mona Lisa.

Celebrity Birthdays for April 14: Actress Julie Christie is 85. Guitarist Ritchie Blackmore is 80. Actor John Shea ("Gossip Girl," ''Lois and Clark") is 76. Country music songwriter Kostas is 76.

Today in Music History for April 14: In 1759, German composer George Frideric Handel died at age 74 in London. He worked mainly in England and Italy, and his most famous work is ``The Messiah.

Today in History for April 14: On this date: In 73 AD, rather than face defeat at the hands of the Romans, Jews in the fortress of Masada committed mass suicide.

Celebrity Birthdays for April 13: Actor Edward Fox is 88. Singer Lester Chambers of The Chambers Brothers is 85. Movie-TV composer Bill Conti is 83. Musician Jack Casady of Jefferson Airplane is 81. Singer Al Green is 79. Actor Ron Perlman is 75.

Today in Music History for April 13: In 1742, George Frideric Handel's majestic oratorio, ``The Messiah,'' was first performed, in Dublin. The performance raised 400 pounds for charity.

Today in History for April 13: In 655 (traditional date), Martin, pope from 649 to 655, died in banishment. He was the last pope venerated as a martyr.

Celebrity Birthdays for April 12: Playwright Alan Ayckbourn is 86. Jazz musician Herbie Hancock is 85. Rock singer John Kay of Steppenwolf is 81. Actor Ed O'Neill ("Modern Family," ''Married...With Children") is 79.