July 28 — On This Day in Opera

This page lists notable events in opera history that happened on July 28, including world premieres, composer births, deaths, and important milestones.

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Premieres & milestones

1823 Premiere

World premiere of Louis Spohr’s grand opera "Jessonda" at the Kurfürstliches Hoftheater in Kassel.

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Births & deaths

1741 Died

Death of Italian composer Antonio Vivaldi, noted for composing over 50 operas during his career.

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1784 Born

German composer and conductor Friedrich Ernst Fesca, whose stage works include the opera "Cantemire", was born in Magdeburg.

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1811 Born

Birth of Italian soprano Giulia Grisi, whose brilliant dramatic voice made her one of the great prima donnas of the 19th century.

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1851 Born

French tenor Léon Escalaïs, one of the leading dramatic tenors of the late nineteenth century and a celebrated interpreter of Meyerbeer and Verdi, was born in Cuxac-d'Aude.

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1878 Born

German baritone Heinrich Schlusnus, renowned for opera and Lieder performances, was born in Braubach.

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1915 Born

American soprano Josephine Antoine, who enjoyed a long career at the Metropolitan Opera, was born in New Orleans.

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1928 Born

Birth of American dramatic soprano Klara Barlow in New York City, known for her Wagner and Strauss heroines across major opera houses.

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1972 Died

Death of American Wagnerian soprano Helen Traubel in Santa Monica, California; she was a leading Brünnhilde at the Metropolitan Opera.

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1988 Died

Austrian soprano Hilde Konetzni, acclaimed for Wagner and Strauss roles at the Vienna State Opera and Bayreuth Festival, died in Vienna.

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