April 16 — On This Day in Opera

Death of Johann Jacob Bach, German musician and composer, in Eisenach.

Composer and violin virtuoso Gaspare Spontini, later known for the opera "La vestale", was born in Maiolati, Italy.

Birth of Italian baritone Francesco Graziani in Fermo, Italy. Debuted in Donizetti's 'Gemma di Vergy' (1851) and created roles in Verdi's 'La forza del destino' and Mercadante's 'Pelagio'.

Death of Domenico Dragonetti, Italian composer and double-bass virtuoso, in London.

Premiere of Giacomo Meyerbeer's opera 'Le prophète' at the Paris Opéra.

The premiere of Otto Nicolai's opera "Die lustigen Weiber von Windsor" took place at the Königliches Opernhaus in Berlin.

Death of Johann Baptist Cramer, German composer and pianist, in London.

Birth of German baritone Robert von Scheidt in Bremen. Created roles in Schreker's 'Die Gezeichneten' and 'Der Schatzgräber'.

Birth of Austrian soprano Elsa Bland in Vienna.

Birth of Sardinian soprano Carmen Melis. Noted for her performances in verismo operas.

French soprano Yvonne Gall, noted for her performances in French opera at the Paris Opéra, was born.

American premiere of Verdi's opera 'Otello' at the Academy of Music in New York City.

Birth of English mezzo-soprano Constance Shacklock in Sherwood, Nottingham. Debuted as Mercedes in Bizet's 'Carmen' (1947).

Birth of American mezzo-soprano Carol Brice in Sedalia, North Carolina. Created roles in Blitzstein's 'Regina' and Moross's 'Gentlemen, Be Seated'.

American composer Henry Mancini, later associated with film and operatic-style vocal works, was born in Cleveland, Ohio.

Italian bass Cesare Siepi, celebrated for his roles in Mozart operas such as "Don Giovanni", made an important early career debut at La Scala.