1686
Birth of Italian Baroque opera composer and renowned singing teacher Nicola Porpora—mentor of famed castrato Farinelli and other prominent vocalists.
August 17 — On This Day in Opera
This page lists notable events in opera history that happened on August 17, including world premieres, composer births, deaths, and important milestones.
1838
Death of Lorenzo Da Ponte, librettist for several of Mozart’s greatest operas including *Le nozze di Figaro*, *Don Giovanni*, and *Così fan tutte*.
1876
World premiere of Wagner’s *Götterdämmerung*, the final opera in his *Ring des Nibelungen*, at the opening cycle in Bayreuth Festspielhaus.