February 14 — On This Day in Opera

This page lists notable events in opera history that happened on February 14, including world premieres, composer births, deaths, and important milestones.

1602
Birth of Francesco Cavalli (Pietro Francesco Caletti-Bruni), major early-Baroque opera composer associated with 17th-century Venetian opera.
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1813
Birth of Aleksandr (Alexander) Dargomyzhsky, Russian composer known for operas including "The Stone Guest" (date given as New Style).
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1829
World premiere of Bellini’s opera "La straniera" at Teatro alla Scala (Milan).
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1894
First performance of Rubinstein’s grand opera "Néron" in its original French libretto (Rouen).
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1959
Birth of American soprano Renée Fleming.
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2006
Death of bass-baritone Benjamin Matthews, founder/artistic director of Opera Ebony (Ebony Opera).
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