October 8 — On This Day in Opera

Inauguration of the Teatro Onigo with the world premiere of Pietro Alessandro Guglielmi’s opera "Demofonte".

Engelbert Humperdinck's "Hänsel und Gretel" received its first United States performance at Daly's Theatre in New York, presented in English.

Lauritz Melchior made his second operatic debut, now as a tenor, singing the title role in Wagner's "Tannhäuser" at the Royal Opera in Copenhagen; the performance marked a decisive turning point in his career as a Heldentenor.

San Francisco Opera introduced projected English supertitles during Verdi's "La traviata", becoming one of the early major opera companies to use translated text projected for the audience.

Italian composer, singer and theorist Giulio Caccini was born; a member of the Florentine Camerata, he became one of the pioneers of opera and composed a setting of "Euridice".

German composer Heinrich Schütz was born in Köstritz; his lost "Dafne", first performed in 1627, is traditionally regarded as the first German opera.

French composer François-Adrien Boieldieu died at Varennes-Jarcy; a leading figure in French opéra-comique, he is especially remembered for "La dame blanche".

American baritone Mack Harrell was born in Celeste, Texas; he later sang extensively at the Metropolitan Opera and became an influential voice teacher.

English contralto Kathleen Ferrier died in London at the age of 41; her operatic roles included Lucretia in Britten's "The Rape of Lucretia" and Orfeo in Gluck's "Orfeo ed Euridice".

Swiss composer Michael Jarrell was born in Geneva; his stage works include "Cassandre" and the opera "Bérénice".