January 1 — On This Day in Opera

This page lists notable events in opera history that happened on January 1, including world premieres, composer births, deaths, and important milestones.

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1732

Death of Italian castrato Nicolò Grimaldi (stage name “Nicolini”), famed for creating roles in Handel operas; died on 1 January 1732.

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1858

World premiere of the four-act version of Stanisław Moniuszko’s opera "Halka" at Teatr Wielki (Warsaw) on 1 January 1858.

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1861

First performance of Stanisław Moniuszko’s one-act comic opera "Verbum nobile" at Teatr Wielki (Warsaw) on 1 January 1861.

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1898

Birth of composer Viktor Ullmann (composer of the opera "Der Kaiser von Atlantis"); born on 1 January 1898 in Teschen (Cieszyn).

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1914

First Italian performance of Wagner’s "Parsifal" at Teatro Comunale di Bologna on 1 January 1914, conducted by Rodolfo Ferrari.

Parsifal

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1926

Birth of French-Canadian operatic tenor Richard Verreau; born on 1 January 1926 in Château-Richer, Québec.

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1947

Birth of Hungarian operatic bass László Polgár; born on 1 January 1947.

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