November 30 — On This Day in Opera
This page lists notable events in opera history that happened on November 30, including world premieres, composer births, deaths, and important milestones.
Premieres & milestones
1872
Christina Nilsson makes her Moscow debut as Marguerite in Gounod’s "Faust" with the Italian Opera Company at the Bolshoi Theatre (30 November/12 December, Old Style/New Style).
1885
Premiere
World premiere of Jules Massenet’s opera "Le Cid" at the Paris Opéra, with Jean de Reszke as Rodrigue in a star-studded cast.
1903
Premiere
First performance of Ernest Chausson’s opera "Le Roi Arthus" at the Théâtre de la Monnaie in Brussels.
1904
Premiere
World premiere of Franco Alfano’s opera "Risurrezione" at the Teatro Vittorio Emanuele in Turin, based on Tolstoy’s novel "Resurrection."
1920
Premiere
World premiere of Walter Braunfels’s opera "Die Vögel" (The Birds) at the National Theatre in Munich, conducted by Bruno Walter.
1948
Maria Callas sings the title role in Bellini’s "Norma" for the first time at the Teatro Comunale in Florence, a role she would go on to perform more than any other in her career.
Births & deaths
1899
Born
Birth of Czech composer Hans Krása in Prague, later renowned for the children’s opera "Brundibár" and his work at the New German Opera and in Theresienstadt.
1944
Died
Death of Italian soprano Giuseppina Finzi-Magrini in Desio; she was celebrated for her coloratura roles across Italian and international opera houses.
1957
Died
Death of Italian lyric tenor Beniamino Gigli in Rome, widely regarded as one of the greatest tenors of his generation.
1961
Died
Death of English soprano Winifred Lawson, famed for her Gilbert and Sullivan roles with the D’Oyly Carte Opera Company.
1975
Born
Birth of Italian operatic contralto Sonia Prina, noted for her performances in Baroque opera and concert repertoire.
Browse by date