October 30 — On This Day in Opera

George Frideric Handel's operatic pasticcio "Semiramis riconosciuta", based on Pietro Metastasio's libretto and incorporating music by several composers, received its first performance at the King's Theatre in the Haymarket, London.

Jacques Offenbach's three-act opéra-comique "Belle Lurette" received its world premiere at the Théâtre de la Renaissance in Paris, with Jane Hading in the title role. Offenbach had died earlier that month, leaving the work unfinished; Léo Delibes completed the score.

Hungarian operetta composer Emmerich Kálmán died in Paris at the age of 71. One of the leading figures of Viennese operetta, he achieved international success with works including "Die Csárdásfürstin", "Gräfin Mariza", and "Das Veilchen vom Montmartre".

Bulgarian composer Parashkev Hadjiev's fairy-tale opera "Once Upon a Time" ("Imalo edno vreme") received its German premiere at the Friedrich Wolf Theatre in Neustrelitz. Originally premiered in Sofia in 1957, the opera was among Hadjiev's early successes and helped introduce Bulgarian opera to international audiences.

World premiere of Daron Hagen's chamber opera "New York Stories" at Kentucky Opera, Louisville.

World premiere of Jake Heggie and Terrence McNally's opera "Great Scott" at the Dallas Opera (Winspear Opera House).

World premiere of Mark-Anthony Turnage's family opera "The Railway Children" at Glyndebourne.

Steve Bramson's chamber opera "CLICK!", with a libretto by Gayle Hudson, received its world premiere at Kilbourn Hall at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York. The opera explores the life and artistic legacy of Hungarian-born photographer André Kertész and his relationship with his wife, Elizabeth.

Mexican composer and conductor Cenobio Paniagua was born in Tlalpujahua, Michoacán. Considered a pioneer of Mexican opera, he composed "Catalina de Guisa", first performed in Mexico in 1859, helping establish a national operatic tradition.

Italian-born coloratura soprano Carlotta Patti was born in Florence. The elder sister of Adelina Patti, she became celebrated internationally for her extraordinary vocal range and virtuosity, particularly in concert performances and coloratura repertoire including the Queen of the Night's music from "Die Zauberflöte".

Italian composer Pietro Raimondi died in Rome. A prolific composer of operas and sacred music, he achieved notable operatic success with "Il ventaglio" and became renowned for his contrapuntal experiments, including works designed for simultaneous performance.

Birth of Italian operatic conductor Antonino Votto (long associated with La Scala and Maria Callas).

Birth of Swedish composer Sven-David Sandström (composer of operas and choral works).

French composer Paul Ladmirault died at his family residence in Camoël, Brittany. A pupil of Gabriel Fauré and a contemporary of Maurice Ravel, he drew inspiration from Breton and Celtic traditions and composed the operas "Gilles de Retz" and "Myrdhin".

Birth of Belgian countertenor and conductor René Jacobs.

Australian composer, conductor, and violinist Alfred Francis Hill died in Sydney. An important figure in the development of opera in Australia and New Zealand, he composed "Tapu", "A Moorish Maid", "Teora", and several other theatrical works inspired partly by Māori subjects.

Death of American coloratura soprano Josephine Antoine (longtime Metropolitan Opera artist).

Death of American lyric soprano and actress Teresa Celli.