1868
Premiere
Bedřich Smetana's opera "Dalibor" premiered at the New Town Theatre in Prague.
May 16 — On This Day in Opera
This page lists notable events in opera history that happened on May 16, including world premieres, composer births, deaths, and important milestones.
Premieres & milestones
1898
Premiere
"La bohème" received its New York premiere at Wallack's Theatre.
1967
Premiere
Alberto Ginastera's opera "Bomarzo" premiered at Lisner Auditorium in Washington, D.C.
Births & deaths
1754
Died
Death of Giovanni Carlo Maria Clari, Italian Baroque composer known for his vocal music admired by Handel and Cherubini.
1788
Born
Birth of Friedrich Rückert, German poet whose texts were set to music by composers such as Mahler and Schumann.
1902
Born
Jan Kiepura, Polish operatic tenor who sang at La Scala, the Metropolitan Opera, the Royal Opera House, and other major houses, was born.
2012
Died
Death of Maria Bieșu, Moldovan operatic soprano and People's Artist of the USSR, renowned for her performances in Puccini and Verdi roles.
2025
Died
Death of Charles Strouse, American composer best known for the musical 'Annie'; his work spanned Broadway, film, and television.
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