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May 21 — On This Day in Opera

This page lists notable events in opera history that happened on May 21, including world premieres, composer births, deaths, and important milestones.

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Premieres & milestones

1739 Premiere
Rameau's opéra-ballet "Les fêtes d'Hébé" was first performed at the Académie Royale de Musique in Paris.
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1878 Premiere
Joseph Parry's "Blodwen", often regarded as the first Welsh-language opera, was first performed in Aberystwyth.
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1892
Premiere of Jules Massenet's opera 'Werther' at the Vienna Hofoper (now the Vienna State Opera).
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1892 Premiere
Leoncavallo's "Pagliacci" received its world premiere at the Teatro Dal Verme in Milan, conducted by Arturo Toscanini.
Pagliacci
Ruggero Leoncavallo
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1909 Premiere
Debussy's "Pelléas et Mélisande" received its United Kingdom premiere at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.
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1925 Premiere
Busoni's unfinished opera "Doktor Faust", completed by Philipp Jarnach, received its world premiere at the Sächsisches Staatstheater in Dresden.
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Births & deaths

1804 Born
Birth of Mikhail Glinka, Russian composer considered the father of Russian classical music and known for operas such as 'A Life for the Tsar' and 'Ruslan and Lyudmila'.
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1894 Born
Birth of Charles Ives, American modernist composer known for his innovative techniques and contributions to early 20th-century music.
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1895 Died
Death of Franz von Suppé, Austrian composer known for his light operas and operettas, including 'Light Cavalry' and 'Boccaccio'.
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1895 Died
Franz von Suppé, Austrian composer of light operas and operettas including "Boccaccio" and "Donna Juanita", died.
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1911 Died
Death of Gustav Mahler, Austrian composer and conductor known for his symphonies and orchestral songs.
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