July 5 — On This Day in Opera

This page lists notable events in opera history that happened on July 5, including world premieres, composer births, deaths, and important milestones.

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Premieres & milestones

1731

Death (burial) of German Baroque composer and opera writer Johann Jakob Greber in Mannheim; his opera Gli amori di Ergasto premiered in London in 1705.

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1870 Premiere

Ambroise Thomas's "Mignon" received its first UK performance at Drury Lane, London.

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1889 Premiere

Verdi's "Otello" received its first UK performance at the Lyceum Theatre, London.

Otello

Giuseppe Verdi

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1965

Maria Callas made her final operatic stage appearance, singing Tosca in Puccini's "Tosca" at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.

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2019

Manual Cinema's production of Humperdinck's "Hansel and Gretel" opened at Opera Saratoga, marking the opera's first appearance there in 29 years.

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Births & deaths

1934 Born

Finnish operatic bass-baritone Tom Krause was born in Helsinki.

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1953 Died

Death of Italian baritone Titta Ruffo, famed for his powerful voice and dramatic stage presence.

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