December 3 — On This Day in Opera

Many biographical sources give this as the birth date of Greek-American soprano Maria Callas in New York City, one of the most influential opera singers of the 20th century (though some modern scholarship cites 1923-12-02).

Leoš Janáček completed the composition of his opera 'Věc Makropulos' ('The Makropulos Affair'), on which he had been working since November 1923.

World premiere of William Walton's opera 'Troilus and Cressida' at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London, performed by the Covent Garden Opera Company.

World premiere of Manfred Trojahn's music-theatre work/opera 'Septembersonate' at Deutsche Oper am Rhein, based on a story by Henry James.

World premiere of Michel van der Aa’s virtual-reality opera project 'From Dust' at De Doelen in Rotterdam.

Birth of German soprano Lotte Leonard in Hamburg, who later had a successful career as a concert and opera singer and settled in Tel Aviv.

Birth of Italian composer Nino Rota in Milan, later renowned for film scores and for operas such as 'Il cappello di paglia di Firenze' and 'Napoli milionaria.'

Birth of English operatic tenor Charles James Craig in London, who became noted for Italian repertory roles and appearances with major British companies.

Birth of American operatic soprano Phyllis Curtin (née Phyllis Smith) in Clarksburg, West Virginia, later a leading singer at New York City Opera and a prominent voice teacher.