November 9 — On This Day in Opera

This page lists notable events in opera history that happened on November 9, including world premieres, composer births, deaths, and important milestones.

1842
Paris Opera premieres Pierre-Louis Dietsch’s "Le vaisseau fantôme" at the Salle Le Peletier.
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1870
U.S. (New York) premiere of Mozart’s singspiel "Der Schauspieldirektor" at the Stadt Theatre.
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1870
Giuseppe Verdi attends a performance of Wagner’s "Lohengrin" at La Monnaie (Brussels) and annotates a score with his impressions.
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1900
Metropolitan Opera premiere of Puccini’s "La Bohème" in New York.
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1911
Birth of German operatic soprano Carla Spletter (noted for roles in Berlin and Hamburg).
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1921
Birth of Canadian coloratura soprano Pierrette Alarie in Montreal.
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1949
Death of Hungarian soprano Margit Bokor (creator of Zdenka in Strauss’s "Arabella").
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1951
Death of composer Sigmund Romberg, noted for operettas including "The Student Prince" and "The Desert Song."
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1953
Death of French soprano and WWI nurse Nelly Martyl in Paris.
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1956
Mattiwilda Dobbs makes her Metropolitan Opera debut as Gilda in "Rigoletto," the first Black singer in a romantic lead at the Met.
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1996
American premiere of Berio’s "Un re in ascolto" at Lyric Opera of Chicago, conducted by Dennis Russell Davies.
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2018
World premiere of the Turkish opera "Troy" ("Troya") in Ankara by Ankara State Opera and Ballet.
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