February 2 — On This Day in Opera

This page lists notable events in opera history that happened on February 2, including world premieres, composer births, deaths, and important milestones.

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1762

World premiere (first performance) of Thomas Arne’s opera "Artaxerxes" at Theatre Royal, Covent Garden (London).

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1785

Birth of Spanish opera soprano and composer Isabella Colbran (born in Madrid).

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1900

World premiere (first performance) of Gustave Charpentier’s opera "Louise" at the Opéra-Comique (Salle Favart), Paris.

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1911

Birth of Swedish tenor Jussi Björling (born in Stora Tuna, Sweden).

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1919

Birth of Swiss soprano Lisa Della Casa (born in Burgdorf, Switzerland).

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1937

Birth of American operatic soprano Martina Arroyo (born in New York City).

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1969

Death of Italian operatic tenor Giovanni Martinelli (died in New York City).

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1995

Death of American operatic tenor and teacher Thomas T. Hayward (died in Las Vegas, Nevada).

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2024

Death of American soprano Wilhelmenia Wiggins Fernandez (died in Lexington, Kentucky).

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