August 9 — On This Day in Opera

Marie Trautmann marries fellow musician Alfred Jaëll.

Italian composer and librettist Ruggero Leoncavallo, best known for the verismo opera "Pagliacci", died in Montecatini Terme.

Dmitri Shostakovich's Seventh Symphony, the "Leningrad", received its historic Leningrad premiere during the siege of the city, performed by the Leningrad Radio Orchestra under Karl Eliasberg in the Grand Hall of the Philharmonia.

American soprano Anne Brown was born in Baltimore. She created the role of Bess in the original production of George Gershwin's "Porgy and Bess", after Gershwin expanded the part specifically for her.

American coloratura soprano Dolores Wilson was born in Philadelphia. She later created the title role in the world premiere of Douglas Moore's "The Ballad of Baby Doe" at Central City Opera.

Soprano Maria Guleghina was born in Odesa. She became internationally known for dramatic Italian roles, particularly in operas by Verdi and Puccini.

Death of Russian composer Dmitri Shostakovich in Moscow.

Dmitri Shostakovich, composer of the operas "The Nose" and "Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk", died in Moscow.