1587
Birth of Francesca Caccini in Florence—composer of the earliest surviving opera by a woman (*La liberazione di Ruggiero*).
September 18 — On This Day in Opera
This page lists notable events in opera history that happened on September 18, including world premieres, composer births, deaths, and important milestones.
1809
The (second) Theatre Royal, Covent Garden—now the Royal Opera House—opened in London after the 1808 fire; its price hikes sparked the Old Price Riots.
1971
Birth of soprano Anna Netrebko, who went on to major debuts at Salzburg, the Metropolitan Opera, Vienna State Opera, and La Scala.
2017
World premiere of David Hertzberg’s opera *The Wake World* at the Barnes Foundation, Philadelphia (Opera Philadelphia co-presentation).