September 10 — On This Day in Opera

World premiere of Alberto Ginastera’s opera "Beatrix Cenci"; the role of Francesco was created by tenor Justino Díaz.

World premiere of John Adams’ "Antony and Cleopatra" at the San Francisco Opera, commissioned for its centennial season.

Henry Purcell, English composer whose stage works include "Dido and Aeneas" and the semi-operas "King Arthur" and "The Fairy Queen", was born in London.

Victorien Sardou, French dramatist whose plays supplied the sources for several operas, most famously Puccini's "Tosca", Giordano's "Fedora", and Catalani's "La Wally", was born in Paris.

Marianne Brandt, Austrian contralto who became an important Wagner and German-repertoire singer at the Vienna Court Opera and the Metropolitan Opera, was born in Vienna.

Franz Werfel, Austrian writer whose novel "Die vierzig Tage des Musa Dagh" and dramatic works influenced twentieth-century musical culture and who wrote the libretto for Ernst Krenek's opera "Der Sprung über den Schatten", was born in Prague.

Arthur Compton, Canadian-born operatic tenor who performed at Covent Garden and with the Carl Rosa Opera Company and later became a prominent singing teacher, was born in Toronto.

Roger Marquardt, American tenor associated with the New York City Opera and known for roles in both standard and contemporary opera, was born.

José Feliciano, Puerto Rican tenor who developed an international operatic career and appeared in major Spanish and Italian repertoire, was born.

Death of American coloratura soprano Josephine Lucchese in San Antonio; she was celebrated for her portrayals of roles like Rosina in "The Barber of Seville", Violetta in "La traviata", and Lucia in "Lucia di Lammermoor".

Stanford Robinson, English conductor closely associated with British opera and a former music director of the Carl Rosa Opera Company, died in Brighton.

Birth of Italian-American operatic mezzo-soprano Ginger Costa-Jackson, known for her performances at the Metropolitan Opera, often in roles such as Carmen.