On this day in 1859 Charles Gounod’s Faust premiered in Paris; five years later his opera Mirelle also premiered.

On this day in 1910, Frederick S. Converse‘s The Pipe of Desire premiered at the Met, the first opera by an American composer to be performed by that company.

On this day in 1990 the Paris Bastille Opera opened with a performance of Berlioz’ Les Troyens.

On this day in 1894 Massenet’s Thaïs premiered in Paris. 

On this day in 1956 Lerner and Lowe’s My Fair Lady opened on Broadway.

On this day in 1885 W S Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan’s The Mikado premiered in London.

On this day in 1797 Luigi Cherubini’s Medée premiered in Paris.

On this day iconic countertenor David Daniels (not pictured) turns 50!

On this day in 1851 Verdi’s Rigoletto premiered in Venice.

Born on this day in 1903 American author, politician, and US Ambassador Clare Boothe Luce.

On this day across opera history, four major works premiered.

Born on this day in 1910 actress Claire Trevor.

On this day in 1824 Giacomo Meyerbeer’s opera Il Crociato in Egitto premiered in Venice.

On this day in 1831 Vincenzo Bellini‘s La Sonnambula premiered in Milan.

On this day in 1856 the second Royal Opera House Covent Garden theatre was destroyed by fire.

On this day in 1830 Vincenzo Bellini’s I Capuleti e i Montecchi premiered in Venice.

On this day in 1875 Bizet’s Carmen had its disastrous premiere at the Opera Comique in Paris. 

On this day in 1965 The Sound of Music, starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer, was released.

On this day in 1957 Ziegfeld Follies of 1957 opened at the Winter Garden, to run 123 performances.

On this day in 1836 Meyerbeer’s Les Huguenots opened in Paris.

On this day in 1862 Gounod’s La Reine de Saba premiered in Paris.

Happy 81st birthday soprano Mirella Freni.

Born on this day in 1802 author and playwright Victor Hugo.

On this day in 1830 Victor Hugo‘s Hernani premiered in Paris.