July 20 — On This Day in Opera

French composer César Franck, whose stage works include the opera "Hulda", was born in Liège.

Birth of Latvian tenor Hermann Jadlowker, known for his Wagnerian roles and an international opera career.

German conductor and composer Hermann Abendroth, later a noted interpreter of Wagner's operas, was born in Frankfurt am Main.

Birth of Spanish soprano Mercedes Capsir, celebrated for roles like Gilda in Verdi’s "Rigoletto".

Stravinsky's "The Soldier's Tale" received its first performance in the United Kingdom in a concert presentation at Wigmore Hall, London.

Birth of Hungarian-American bass Andrew Foldi, noted for his long career at the Metropolitan Opera.

Italian tenor Franco Corelli, one of the leading dramatic tenors of the post-war era, was born in Ancona.

Death of Austrian baritone Emil Schipper at age 75; he had a distinguished career in European opera.

Italian tenor Luciano Pavarotti gave his final performance at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, singing the title role in Verdi's "Un ballo in maschera".

Santa Fe Opera presented Leoš Janáček’s "Jenůfa" for the first time in its company history.

American premiere of Louise Talma’s opera "The Alcestiad" at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library in Washington, DC.