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
Featured now
All posts
Le Villi: Italian–English Side-by-Side Libretto With Translation
Puccini's operatic debut has arrived at LibrettoArchive
Composers
All
Today in Opera History — June 1
All1656
Premiere of 'The Siege of Rhodes, Part I' by Sir William Davenant in London, considered the first English opera.
1656
Birth of Marin Marais, French composer and viol player known for his contributions to Baroque opera and instrumental music.
1771
Ferdinando Paer, Italian opera composer, was born in Parma.
1804
Mikhail Glinka, composer of "A Life for the Tsar" and "Ruslan and Lyudmila", was born in Novospasskoye.
1945
Frederica von Stade, American mezzo-soprano associated with Mozart, Rossini, French, and American opera repertory, was born in Somerville, New Jersey.
The Daily Opera Chronicle
Selected premieres and milestones from the world of opera — published daily.
The complete archive remains here on the website.