LibrettoArchive Opera Libretti • Translations • History

November 18 — On This Day in Opera

This page lists notable events in opera history that happened on November 18, including world premieres, composer births, deaths, and important milestones.

← November 17 | November 19 →

Premieres & milestones

1862
Opening of Prague's Provisional Theatre, a key home for Czech opera in the 1860s–70s.
Source
1883
Re-inauguration of the National Theatre in Prague with Smetana’s 'Libuše'.
Source
1911 Premiere
U.S. premiere at the Metropolitan Opera of Ludwig Thuille’s 'Lobetanz'.
Source
1927 Premiere
World premiere of Respighi’s opera 'La campana sommersa' in Hamburg.
Source
2017 Premiere
World premiere of Nico Muhly’s opera 'Marnie' at English National Opera, London.
Source

Births & deaths

1786 Born
Birth of Carl Maria von Weber, pioneering Romantic opera composer of 'Der Freischütz'.
Source
1836 Born
Birth of W. S. Gilbert, librettist for the Gilbert & Sullivan comic operas.
Source
1871 Born
Birth of Amadeo (Amadeu) Vives, Spanish composer best known for the zarzuela 'Doña Francisquita'.
Source
1874 Born
Birth of American tenor Riccardo Martin (born Hugh Whitfield Martin).
Source
1882 Born
Birth of Amelita Galli-Curci, famed Italian coloratura soprano.
Source
1992 Died
Death of American soprano Dorothy Kirsten in Los Angeles.
Source
2022 Died
Death of American composer Ned Rorem (Pulitzer Prize 1976; composer of operas and song).
Source

Browse by date

January 12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031

February 12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728

March 12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031

April 123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930

May 12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031

June 123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930

July 12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031

August 12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031

September 123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930

October 12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031

November 123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930

December 12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031