Essential commemorations and anniversaries in classical music in 2018
Through 10 centuries, so many anniversaries to remember! Classical music covers 10 centuries of history, from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. There are many opportunities each year to celebrate great composers, creations or emblematic venues of classical music. So many anniversaries! From January to December, there is always a good reason to discover a musician, to rediscover a work. And above all, 365 opportunities to be curious.
Essential celebrations in 2018
Some dates to remember in 2018:
- 1678-03-04, Antonio Vivaldi (Birth, 1684-01-01)
- 1918-03-25, Claude Debussy (Death, 1924-01-01)
- 1843-06-15, Edvard Grieg (Birth, 1849-01-01)
- 1828-11-19, Franz Schubert (Death, 1834-01-01)
- 1858-12-22, Giacomo Puccini (Birth, 1864-01-01)
No fewer than 8 centenarians are expected in 2018 (and 2 multi-centenarians). This year, among the great figures of classical music to be commemorated are: César Cui (March), Claude Debussy (March), Birgit Nilsson (May), Charles Gounod (June), Leonard Bernstein (August).
There are many more: 1918, 1818, 1718...
2018, a special year for some orchestras and venues
These orchestras celebrate in 2018:
- 100th anniversary (1918)
- Bochumer Symphoniker (Germany)
- Brooklyn Tabernacle (United States of America)
- Cleveland Orchestra (United States of America)
- National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine (Ukraine)
- Orchestre de la Suisse Romande (Geneva) (Switzerland)
- Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra (Netherlands)
and these venues as well:
- 200th anniversary (1818)
- National Theatre Munich, Germany
- 50th anniversary (1968)
- Madison Square Garden (Manhattan), United States of America
All commemorations in 2018, month by month
February
05
Gara Garayev , Commemorations (2018), Classical music, Azerbaijani composer (1918-1982)
100th anniversary (Birth)
04
Antonio Vivaldi , Commemorations (2018), Classical music, Italian composer and violinist (1678-1741)
340th anniversary (Birth)
05
Opera
“Moses in Egypt” , Commemorations (2018), Classical music
Premiere in 1818 (200th anniversary)
Naples
13
César Cui , Commemorations (2018), Classical music, Russian composer and army officer
100th anniversary (Death)
15
Lili Boulanger , Commemorations (2018), Classical music, French composer (1893–1918)
100th anniversary (Death)
25
Claude Debussy , Commemorations (2018), Classical music, French classical composer (1862–1918)
100th anniversary (Death)
28
Sergei Rachmaninoff , Commemorations (2018), Classical music, Russian composer, pianist and conductor (1873–1943)
75th anniversary (Death)
17
Birgit Nilsson , Commemorations (2018), Classical music, Swedish opera singer (1918-2005)
100th anniversary (Birth)
24
Opera
“Bluebeard's Castle, Op. 11 list 3” , Commemorations (2018), Classical music
Premiere in 1918 (100th anniversary)
Hungarian State Opera House
10
Arrigo Boito , Commemorations (2018), Classical music, Italian poet and opera composer and librettist of Verdi's opera ''Otello'' (1842-1918)
100th anniversary (Death)
15
Edvard Grieg , Commemorations (2018), Classical music, Norwegian composer and pianist (1843–1907)
175th anniversary (Birth)
17
Charles Gounod , Commemorations (2018), Classical music, French composer
200th anniversary (Birth)
August
25
Leonard Bernstein , Commemorations (2018), Classical music, American conductor and composer (1918–1990)
100th anniversary (Birth)
September
22
Henryk Szeryng , Commemorations (2018), Classical music, Polish-Mexican violinist
100th anniversary (Birth)
28
Ballet
“The Soldier's Tale” , Commemorations (2018), Classical music
Premiere in 1918 (100th anniversary)
Opéra de Lausanne
29
Work for orchestra
“The Planets, Opp. 32” , Commemorations (2018), Classical music
Premiere in 1918 (100th anniversary)
October
25
Georges Bizet , Commemorations (2018), Classical music, French composer (1838–1875)
180th anniversary (Birth)
November
13
Gioachino Rossini , Commemorations (2018), Classical music, Italian opera composer (1792-1868)
150th anniversary (Death)
19
Franz Schubert , Commemorations (2018), Classical music, Austrian composer (1797–1828)
190th anniversary (Death)
December
03
Opera
“Ricciardo and Zoraide” , Commemorations (2018), Classical music
Premiere in 1818 (200th anniversary)
Teatro di San Carlo
10
Giulio Caccini , Commemorations (2018), Classical music, Italian composer
400th anniversary (Death)
14
Opera
“Il tabarro” , Commemorations (2018), Classical music
Premiere in 1918 (100th anniversary)
Metropolitan Opera House
22
Giacomo Puccini , Commemorations (2018), Classical music, Italian opera composer (1858–1924)
160th anniversary (Birth)
See also...
Other commemorations and anniversaries
Classical music history
timelines
That year