August 8 — On This Day in Opera

French composer Jules Boucher de Crèvecœur de Perthes, known as Jules Boucher de Perthes, librettist and collaborator on several nineteenth-century French operas, was born.

Premiere of Gaetano Donizetti's opera *Roberto Devereux* in Naples, one of his famous 'Three Donizetti Queens' operas.

The world premiere of Amilcare Ponchielli's opera "Marion Delorme" took place at Teatro alla Scala in Milan.

American soprano Grace Moore was born in Slabtown, Tennessee. She later became an international opera star at the Metropolitan Opera and Chicago Opera.

Birth of American operatic soprano Leontyne Price, one of the first African Americans to gain international acclaim in opera.

Italian conductor Giuseppe Sinopoli, noted for his interpretations of Verdi, Wagner, Strauss, and Puccini operas, was born in Venice.

Death of French composer Darius Milhaud, known for his prolific output including operas, ballets, and orchestral music.

American composer Dominick Argento's opera "The Aspern Papers" received its world premiere at the Dallas Opera.