July 22 — On This Day in Opera

German composer and conductor Julius Rietz, remembered for the opera "Georg Neumark" and for championing the music of Mendelssohn, was born in Berlin.

Italian composer, conductor, and violinist Luigi Arditi, best known for the operas "La spia" and "I briganti", was born in Crescentino.

Richard Wagner conducted the first performance of his concert work "Faust Overture" in Dresden, a composition originally intended as the opening movement of a Faust Symphony.

World premiere of Giuseppe Verdi’s opera "I masnadieri" at Her Majesty’s Theatre in London, conducted by the composer.

Death of Austrian bass‑baritone Emil Scaria, notable for originating the role of Gurnemanz in Wagner’s "Parsifal".

Italian baritone Carlo Galeffi, celebrated for Verdi roles including "Rigoletto", "Falstaff", and "Simon Boccanegra", was born in Malalbergo.

Birth of Italian-American soprano Licia Albanese, renowned for her interpretations of lyric Verdi and Puccini roles at the Metropolitan Opera.

Caterina Jarboro became the first Black prima donna of a U.S. opera company when she sang the title role in *Aida* at the Metropolitan Opera House.

German conductor Eugen Jochum, acclaimed for his interpretations of Wagner, Mozart, and Richard Strauss operas, died in Munich.