1782
Premiere
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's "Die Entführung aus dem Serail" received its world premiere at the Burgtheater in Vienna.
August 4 — On This Day in Opera
This page lists notable events in opera history that happened on August 4, including world premieres, composer births, deaths, and important milestones.
Premieres & milestones
Births & deaths
1780
Born
Birth of French tenor Louis Nourrit, noted for his performances in Gluck’s operas and father of the celebrated Adolphe Nourrit.
1814
Died
Death of English soprano Adelaide Kemble, famed for her Norma and advocacy for opera in the 19th century.
1821
Born
Composer Louis-Victorin Joncières, remembered for the operas "Dimitri" and "Le Chevalier Jean", was born in Paris.
1880
Born
Birth of Czech opera singer and teacher Božena Kacerovská, who performed internationally and later taught in Paris.
1901
Born
American soprano and Metropolitan Opera star Helen Jepson was born in Titusville, Pennsylvania.
1929
Born
Italian soprano Gabriella Tucci was born in Rome; she became particularly celebrated for Verdi and Puccini roles and appeared at the Metropolitan Opera for thirteen seasons.
1960
Born
American dramatic soprano Deborah Voigt was born in Illinois; she became internationally known for leading roles in operas by Wagner and Richard Strauss.
1968
Born
American mezzo-soprano Susan Graham, acclaimed for her performances in French and Mozart repertoire at major international opera houses, was born in Roswell, New Mexico.
1975
Died
Dmitri Shostakovich, whose stage works include the operas "The Nose" and "Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk District", died in Moscow.
2016
Died
Death of American coloratura soprano Patrice Munsel, youngest star to debut at the Metropolitan Opera at age 17.