June 30 — On This Day in Opera

John Gay, English dramatist best remembered for the ballad opera "The Beggar’s Opera", was born in Barnstaple.

Italo Campanini, Italian operatic tenor and early Metropolitan Opera leading singer, was born in Parma.

Birth of Polish-American operatic soprano Bella Alten, who performed at the Metropolitan Opera House in the early 1900s.

Arturo Toscanini, at age 19, made his conducting debut by leading Verdi’s Aida from memory in Rio de Janeiro during an opera company's performance.

Dorothy Rudd Moore’s opera "Frederick Douglass" received its world premiere at Aaron Davis Hall in New York.

Death of Italian baritone, actor, and opera director Renato Capecchi in Milan, known for premiering roles in contemporary operas.

Renato Capecchi, Italian baritone, actor, and opera director, died in Milan.

Claudio Desderi, Italian baritone and opera director associated with Mozart and Rossini repertory, died in Florence.