Okay, so we don’t know when exactly Shakespeare was born. We do know that he was baptized on April 26, 1564. He died on April 23, 1616. Scholars have found the potential symmetry irresistible; therefore his birthday has traditionally been observed on the same day as his death. To borrow from “The Tempest,” our little lives are not only rounded with a sleep, it seems; if we’re famous enough, and we die close enough to our natal day, our birthdays are also rounded down.

It doesn’t really matter when Shakespeare was born, but I look forward to celebrating the Bard every year. So many of his insights remain fresh, and the plays tie in beautifully with the spirit of renewal that springtime fosters. Also, there is just so much interesting and vital music inspired by his writings.

We’ll sample as much of it as we can – what masques, what dances shall we have – this Monday, from 4 to 7 p.m. EDT, on WWFM – The Classical Network and wwfm.org.