March 29 — On This Day in Opera

Two-act revision of Beethoven’s opera "Leonore" (later titled "Fidelio") premiered at the Theater an der Wien in Vienna.

First staged performance (world premiere) of Tchaikovsky’s opera "Yevgeny Onegin" at the Maly Theatre in Moscow (17 March O.S. / 29 March N.S.), performed by students of the Moscow Conservatory and conducted by Nikolay Rubinstein.

U.S. premiere of Massenet’s opera "Werther" at Chicago’s Auditorium Theatre, presented by the Metropolitan Opera on tour.

Birth of English composer Sir William Walton, who later wrote the operas "Troilus and Cressida" and "The Bear".

Death of Polish composer Karol Szymanowski, celebrated for operas including "Król Roger" ("King Roger").

Death of German composer Carl Orff, known for stage works including "Antigonae".

Death of Welsh tenor, conductor, and teacher Robert Tear.

Death of Polish composer and conductor Krzysztof Penderecki, who composed the opera "Ubu Rex".