April 15 — On This Day in Opera

This page lists notable events in opera history that happened on April 15, including world premieres, composer births, deaths, and important milestones.

Leonardo da Vinci, whose innovations in stage machinery and theatrical design influenced early opera production, was born in Vinci.
1452
Leonardo da Vinci, whose innovations in stage machinery and theatrical design influenced early opera production, was born in Vinci.
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The premiere of Alessandro Scarlatti's opera
1707
The premiere of Alessandro Scarlatti's opera "Mitridate Eupatore" took place in Venice.
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1729
Johann Sebastian Bach conducted the premiere performance of his 'St. Matthew Passion' at St. Thomas Church in Leipzig, Germany.
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1738
Italian composer Gaetano Pugnani, associated with operatic and theatrical music in Turin, was born.
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The premiere of Ambroise Thomas's opera
1868
The premiere of Ambroise Thomas's opera "Hamlet" took place at the Paris Opéra.
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1869
Death of August Wilhelm Bach, German composer and organist.
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1892
American soprano Rosa Ponselle, one of the leading Metropolitan Opera singers of the early 20th century, was born in Meriden, Connecticut.
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2025
Performance of Rossini's 'Il Barbiere di Siviglia' at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City.
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