January 6 — On This Day in Opera

This page lists notable events in opera history that happened on January 6, including world premieres, composer births, deaths, and important milestones.

1743
World premiere of Christoph Willibald Gluck’s opera "Demofoonte" at the Teatro Regio Ducale (Milan) on 6 January 1743.
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1755
First performance of Carl Heinrich Graun’s opera seria "Montezuma" at the Königliches Opernhaus (Berlin) on 6 January 1755.
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1813
Premiere of Giacomo Meyerbeer’s opera (originally titled "Wirt und Gast, oder Aus Scherz Ernst", later known as "Die beiden Kalifen") at the Stuttgart Court Theatre on 6 January 1813.
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1906
Premiere of Josef Richard Rozkošný’s opera "Černé jezero" at the National Theatre in Prague on 6 January 1906.
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1940
Birth of American operatic mezzo-soprano Shirley Love; born in Detroit on 6 January 1940.
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1942
Death of French dramatic soprano Emma Calvé; died on 6 January 1942 (Montpellier).
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1996
Death of American tenor Richard Versalle after collapsing on stage during a performance at the Metropolitan Opera (New York) on 6 January 1996.
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