July 17 — On This Day in Opera

Following the death of Tobias Michael in June, Sebastian Knüpfer is appointed Thomaskantor at Leipzig, a pivotal role in the city's musical life.

George Frideric Handel's "Water Music" is performed on the River Thames for King George I, marking a significant event in early 18th-century English opera history.

French baritone Jean Lassalle, celebrated for leading roles in French and Italian opera including "Rigoletto" and "Aida", was born in Lyons.

British soprano Margaret Sheridan, later a leading Wagnerian singer at Covent Garden and the Metropolitan Opera, was born in Roscrea, Ireland.

Alban Berg's opera "Lulu" received its world premiere at the Opernhaus Zürich in its unfinished two-act version.

Gian Carlo Menotti's opera "Help, Help, the Globolinks!" received its United Kingdom premiere at the Edinburgh International Festival.

British opera director Graham Vick died in London.

Chicago premiere of Pauline Viardot Garcia’s opera "The Last Sorcerer" and highlights from Benjamin Britten’s *A Midsummer Night’s Dream* at the 19th Century Club in Oak Park, Illinois.