June 5 — On This Day in Opera

Giovanni Paisiello, Italian composer of more than eighty operas including "Il barbiere di Siviglia" and "Nina, o sia la pazza per amore", died in Naples.

Rossini’s "Ricciardo e Zoraide" was first performed at the King’s Theatre Opera House in London.

Death of Carl Maria von Weber, German composer and conductor, recognized as a pioneer of German Romantic opera with works like 'Der Freischütz' and 'Oberon'.

Birth of Árpád Doppler, Hungarian-German composer noted for his operas 'Halixula' and 'Viel Lärm um Nichts' (Much Ado About Nothing).

Birth of Igor Stravinsky (Old Style calendar), Russian composer known for his influential operas such as 'The Rake's Progress' and 'Oedipus Rex'.

Ralph Benatzky, Czech-Austrian composer of operettas including "Im weißen Rössl", was born in Mährisch Budwitz.

Death of Sir Julius Benedict, German-born British composer and conductor, recognized for his operas and contributions to English music.

Death of Riccardo Zandonai, Italian composer and conductor, acclaimed for his opera 'Francesca da Rimini'.

Birth of Victoria Bond, American conductor and composer, known for her contributions to contemporary opera.

Sandrine Piau, French soprano known for Baroque opera and roles from Mozart to Poulenc, Debussy, and Britten, was born in Issy-les-Moulineaux.