September 9 — On This Day in Opera

Warwick Braithwaite conducted the first performance of Ralph Vaughan Williams's one-act opera "The Shepherds of the Delectable Mountains" at the Royal College of Music in London.

Maria Malibran, one of the most celebrated mezzo-sopranos of the nineteenth century and an important interpreter of operas by Rossini, Bellini, and Donizetti, was born in Paris.

Birth of French composer Francis Bousquet, whose works included three operas and who later served as director of the Conservatoire de Roubaix.

Arthur Freed, American lyricist and producer whose early career included writing songs and lyrics for musical theatre and operetta, was born in Charleston, South Carolina.

Cesare Pavese, Italian writer whose works later provided literary sources for operatic adaptations, was born in Santo Stefano Belbo, Italy.

Birth of American operatic tenor Jan Peerce, famed for his long career at the Metropolitan Opera and lyrical repertoire.

Nicholas Lanier, English composer, singer, and Master of the King's Musick whose dramatic works helped introduce the Italian recitative style into England, died in London.

Deon van der Walt, South African lyric tenor known internationally for Mozart roles including Tamino in "Die Zauberflöte", Belmonte in "Die Entführung aus dem Serail", and Ferrando in "Così fan tutte", was born in Cape Town.

Death of Bohemian-born American composer, conductor, and librettist Walter Kaufmann, who contributed to opera, ethnomusicology, and education.