Opera Libretti, Translations, and Opera History

Explore opera libretti, composer biographies, historical milestones, and professionally formatted side-by-side translations.

A curated guide to the world’s most important operas, composers, and libretto traditions.

Latest paperback in DM’s Opera Series
Tannhäuser: German–English Side-by-Side Opera Libretto
Tannhäuser: German–English Side-by-Side Opera Libretto
Wagner’s tale of love, desire, and redemption — now in a precise German–English side-by-side format.
Amazon $13.99

Today in Opera History — July 7

All
1860
Gustav Mahler, composer and major opera conductor later associated with the Vienna Court Opera and the Metropolitan Opera, was born in Kaliště, Bohemia.
1904
First performance of Puccini’s "Madama Butterfly" outside Italy, staged in Buenos Aires under the baton of Arturo Toscanini.
1911
Birth of Italian-American composer and librettist Gian Carlo Menotti, creator of operas such as 'The Medium', 'Amahl and the Night Visitors', and 'The Consul'.
1911
Italian-American opera composer and librettist Gian Carlo Menotti was born in Cadegliano, Italy.
1933
Death of American opera director and translator Donald Pippin, founder of San Francisco's Pocket Opera, known for performing operas in English.
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