July 2 — On This Day in Opera

This page lists notable events in opera history that happened on July 2, including world premieres, composer births, deaths, and important milestones.

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Premieres & milestones

1929 Premiere

Noël Coward's operetta "Bitter Sweet" received its first performance at the Palace Theatre, Manchester.

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1958

Leontyne Price made her London debut at Covent Garden as Aida in Verdi's "Aida".

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1980 Premiere

Stephen Sondheim's "Sweeney Todd" received its first UK performance at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, London.

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Births & deaths

1714 Born

Opera reformer Christoph Willibald Gluck was born in Erasbach, Upper Palatinate.

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2007 Died

American coloratura soprano Beverly Sills died in New York City.

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