November 20 — On This Day in Opera

This page lists notable events in opera history that happened on November 20, including world premieres, composer births, deaths, and important milestones.

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1728

Nicola Porpora’s setting of Metastasio’s “Ezio” premieres in Venice at the Teatro San Giovanni Grisostomo, preempting Rome’s official premiere.

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1805

World premiere of Beethoven’s only opera, originally titled “Leonore” (later revised as “Fidelio”), at the Theater an der Wien in Vienna.

Fidelio

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1887

Birth of Italian mezzo-soprano Flora Perini in Rome.

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1894

Death of Russian composer Anton Rubinstein (composer of 20 operas, including “The Demon”) at Peterhof.

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1901

Premiere of Jules Massenet’s opera “Grisélidis” at the Opéra-Comique (Salle Favart) in Paris.

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1901

Opéra-Comique notable premieres list includes Massenet’s “Grisélidis” on this date (confirmation from the house’s history).

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1907

Feodor Chaliapin makes his Metropolitan Opera (New York) debut as the title role in Boito’s “Mefistofele.”

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1948

Birth of American soprano Barbara Hendricks.

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1950

Death of Italian composer Francesco Cilea (noted for “L’arlesiana” and “Adriana Lecouvreur”) in Varazze, Italy.

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