August 14 — On This Day in Opera

Gioachino Rossini's comic opera "Il turco in Italia", with a libretto by Felice Romani, received its world premiere at Teatro alla Scala in Milan.

Fabio Campana's opera "Caterina di Guisa", with a libretto by Felice Romani, received its world premiere at the Teatro degli Avvalorati in Livorno.

Richard Wagner's "Die Walküre" was performed at the Bayreuth Festspielhaus for the first time as part of the complete "Der Ring des Nibelungen" cycle, conducted by Hans Richter.

Belgian operatic soprano Emma Luart was born in Brussels; she later sang leading lyric roles at La Monnaie and the Opéra-Comique in Paris.

Birth of French baritone Martial Singher, renowned for his international opera career and later influential teaching legacy.

Italian lyric tenor Ferruccio Tagliavini was born in Reggio Emilia; he became particularly celebrated for the Italian lyric repertoire and was regarded as a successor to Tito Schipa and Beniamino Gigli.

A Greek National Opera production of Beethoven's "Fidelio" opened at the Odeon of Herodes Atticus in Athens, with Maria Callas singing Leonore.

Italian soprano Cecilia Gasdia was born in Verona; she became especially associated with Rossini's operas and later served as General Manager and Artistic Director of the Arena di Verona.

Death of American mezzo-soprano Beverly Wolff of the New York City Opera, known for premiering roles in works by Menotti and Moore.

Russian composer Tikhon Khrennikov, whose output included several operas as well as ballets, concertos, symphonies, and film music, died in Moscow.