April 18 — On This Day in Opera

German composer and conductor Louis Spohr, known for operas such as "Faust", died in Kassel.

Birth of Franz von Suppé, Austrian composer known for his light operas and operettas.

Birth of Franz von Suppé, Austrian composer known for his operettas and light operas.

The premiere of Mikhail Glinka's opera "A Life for the Tsar" ("Ivan Susanin") took place in Saint Petersburg, marking a milestone in Russian opera.

Leopold Stokowski, influential conductor who championed opera in symphonic and staged contexts, was born in London.

Birth of Sylvia Fisher, Australian operatic soprano renowned for her performances in Benjamin Britten's operas.

Italian soprano Renata Tebaldi, one of the most celebrated opera singers of the 20th century, was born in Pesaro.

Death of Srećko Albini, Croatian composer and conductor known for his operettas and contributions to Croatian musical theatre.

Death of Srećko Albini, Croatian composer and conductor known for his operettas and contributions to Croatian musical theater.

Death of Ottorino Respighi, Italian composer noted for his orchestral works and contributions to opera.

Birth of Catherine Malfitano, American soprano and opera director known for her performances at the Metropolitan Opera.

The premiere of Benjamin Britten's opera "Gloriana" in a revised production was presented at Sadler's Wells Theatre in London.

Death of Julia Smith, American composer and musicologist, notable for her operas and scholarly work on Aaron Copland.

Death of Harrison Birtwistle, British composer renowned for his modernist operas and orchestral works.