1812
Death of Emanuel Schikaneder, librettist of Mozart’s *Die Zauberflöte* and influential Viennese impresario.
September 21 — On This Day in Opera
This page lists notable events in opera history that happened on September 21, including world premieres, composer births, deaths, and important milestones.
1874
Birth of Gustav Holst, English composer who wrote the chamber opera *Savitri* (1916) and the earlier, large-scale opera *Sita*.
1878
Birth of Lina Coen, French-American musician regarded as the first woman in the United States to conduct an opera.
1951
Birth of American bass-baritone John Del Carlo, a longtime Metropolitan Opera artist noted for Verdi and bel canto roles.
1989
Revised version of Bohuslav Martinů’s opera *The Marriage* premiered at Theater Bonn, conducted by Udo Zimmermann.
2000
World premiere of Jake Heggie and Terrence McNally’s opera *Dead Man Walking* at San Francisco Opera.
2025
Season opener at the Metropolitan Opera with the company premiere of *The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay*.
2025
Chicago Opera Theater presents *Trusted*, a contemporary opera by Aaron Israel Levin, in workshop form.