1774
The French version of Christoph Willibald Gluck's "Orphée et Eurydice" received its world premiere at the Académie Royale de Musique in Paris.
August 2 — On This Day in Opera
This page lists notable events in opera history that happened on August 2, including world premieres, composer births, deaths, and important milestones.
1891
English composer Sir Arthur Bliss, whose stage works include the opera "The Olympians", was born in London.
1921
Death of Italian operatic tenor Enrico Caruso in Naples at age 48, one of the most celebrated tenors of the early 20th century.
1937
Austrian soprano Gundula Janowitz, celebrated for performances at the Vienna State Opera and Metropolitan Opera, was born in Berlin.
1945
Death of Italian composer Pietro Mascagni in Rome at age 81, whose one-act opera "Cavalleria rusticana" ushered in the Verismo era.
2008
Tan Dun's "The First Emperor" received its European premiere at the Finnish National Opera during the Savonlinna Opera Festival.