November 30 — On This Day in Opera

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).

World premiere of Jules Massenet’s opera "Le Cid" at the Paris Opéra, with Jean de Reszke as Rodrigue in a star-studded cast.

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.

First performance of Ernest Chausson’s opera "Le Roi Arthus" at the Théâtre de la Monnaie in Brussels.

World premiere of Franco Alfano’s opera "Risurrezione" at the Teatro Vittorio Emanuele in Turin, based on Tolstoy’s novel "Resurrection."

World premiere of Walter Braunfels’s opera "Die Vögel" (The Birds) at the National Theatre in Munich, conducted by Bruno Walter.

Death of Italian soprano Giuseppina Finzi-Magrini in Desio; she was celebrated for her coloratura roles across Italian and international opera houses.

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.

Death of Italian lyric tenor Beniamino Gigli in Rome, widely regarded as one of the greatest tenors of his generation.

Death of English soprano Winifred Lawson, famed for her Gilbert and Sullivan roles with the D’Oyly Carte Opera Company.

Birth of Italian operatic contralto Sonia Prina, noted for her performances in Baroque opera and concert repertoire.