December 8 — On This Day in Opera

Birth of Italian lyric soprano Maria Farneti in Forlì, later noted for verismo roles and early performances in works by Puccini and Mascagni.

A catastrophic fire breaks out at the Ringtheater in Vienna shortly before a performance of Offenbach's opera 'Les contes d'Hoffmann', killing hundreds and leading to major reforms in theatre fire-safety law.

Birth of American opera singer, musicologist, and diplomat Zelma Watson George in Hearne, Texas; she later becomes known for her work in Menotti's opera 'The Medium' and for her role at the United Nations.

Richard Strauss's opera 'Salome' receives its first London performance at Covent Garden under Thomas Beecham, after earlier censorship delays in Britain.

Birth of American dramatic lyric soprano Helen L. Phillips in St. Louis, Missouri; she later breaks racial barriers as one of the first Black singers to perform with the Metropolitan Opera chorus.

Frank Bridge's one-act Christmas opera 'The Christmas Rose' is first performed at the Royal College of Music's Parry Opera Theatre in London.

Death of Italian soprano Maria Pedrini in Rome, known for her performances in Italian opera houses in roles such as Elena in Boito's 'Mefistofele'.

The Metropolitan Opera begins regular live radio broadcasts to Europe via satellite, with a performance that expands the Met's audience across multiple European countries.

Birth of Polish countertenor Jakub Józef Orliński in Warsaw, who will become internationally recognized for Baroque opera roles and a distinctive stage presence combining singing and breakdancing.

Olga Neuwirth's opera 'Orlando', based on Virginia Woolf's novel, receives its world premiere at the Vienna State Opera, becoming the first opera by a woman commissioned and staged by that house in about 150 years.