Music anniversaries to be commemorated on February 17: births, premieres...

Thousands of anniversaries. In 2020, classical music and opera offer many opportunities for music lovers to commemorate composers, conductors, performers and operatic artists, to celebrate the first performances of essential works or the opening of emblematic concert halls. From January to December, there are 365 opportunities to revisit a repertoire, a recording or simply to explore 10 centuries of classical music. Something to satisfy all the inquiring minds.

February 17: Essential anniversaries

Throughout 10 centuries of history, there are thousands of anniversaries. For February 17, there are no less than 91 dates to remember: births, deaths, premieres, inaugurations... Among them: Anton Július Hiray (250th anniversary, Birth), Henri Vieuxtemps (200th anniversary, Birth), Marcos Portugal (190th anniversary, Death), Louise Kirkby Lunn (90th anniversary, Death), Kathryn Grayson (10th anniversary, Death)... to name only some of the artists, composers or performers, known or less known throughout the world.

All important anniversaries to commemorate a February 17

February 17

2017

Fan Rijuan, Anniversaries (February 17), Classical music history, Chinese opera singer

Death (age 93)

2016

Elena Rizzieri, Anniversaries (February 17), Classical music history, Italian soprano

Death (age 93)

2015

Junetta Jones, Anniversaries (February 17), Classical music history, American singer

Death (age 78)

Andrzej Koszewski, Anniversaries (February 17), Classical music history, Composer, musicologist, and teacher

Death (age 92)

2014

Vladislav Kazenin, Anniversaries (February 17), Classical music history, Russian composer

Death (age 76)

2010

Kathryn Grayson, Anniversaries (February 17), Classical music history, actress from the United States

Death (age 88)

2003

Federica Falzon, Anniversaries (February 17), Classical music history, Maltese singer

Birth (17th anniversary)

2001

Valery Vladimirovich Kastelsky, Anniversaries (February 17), Classical music history, pianist

Death (age 59)

1999

Sabine Hass, Anniversaries (February 17), Classical music history, German opera singer

Death (age 49)

1996

Alberto Bruni Tedeschi, Anniversaries (February 17), Classical music history, composer, industrialist, art collector

Death (age 81)

1991

Gitta Alpár, Anniversaries (February 17), Classical music history, Hungarian-born opera and operetta soprano

Death (age 87)

1990

Alex Banfield, Anniversaries (February 17), Classical music history, British opera and concert tenor

Birth (30th anniversary)

Gustav Křivinka, Anniversaries (February 17), Classical music history, Czech composer

Death (age 61)

1988

Kelly Moran, Anniversaries (February 17), Classical music history, American musician

Birth (32th anniversary)

1986

Kikuko Kanai, Anniversaries (February 17), Classical music history, composer

Death (age 74)

1983

Tancredi Pasero, Anniversaries (February 17), Classical music history, Opera bass

Death (age 90)

1981

Jonathan Gilad, Anniversaries (February 17), Classical music history, French pianist

Birth (39th anniversary)

1973

Leonore Veenemans, Anniversaries (February 17), Classical music history, opera singer

Death (age 38)

Suzanne Balguerie, Anniversaries (February 17), Classical music history, French singer

Death (age 84)

1972

Gavriil Popov, Anniversaries (February 17), Classical music history, Russian composer

Death (age 67)

1968

Katica Illényi, Anniversaries (February 17), Classical music history, Hungarian violinist

Birth (52th anniversary)

1967

Dawn Padmore, Anniversaries (February 17), Classical music history, singer

Birth (53th anniversary)

1965

Lisa Roma, Anniversaries (February 17), Classical music history, singer

Death (age 72)

1962

Bruno Walter, Anniversaries (February 17), Classical music history, German-born conductor, pianist, and composer

Death (age 85)

1961

Olivier Charlier, Anniversaries (February 17), Classical music history, French violinist

Birth (59th anniversary)

1957

Hiroyuki Odagiri, Anniversaries (February 17), Classical music history, trombonist

Birth (63th anniversary)

1951

Elżbieta Karolak, Anniversaries (February 17), Classical music history, organist

Birth (69th anniversary)

Nikoghayos Tigranian, Anniversaries (February 17), Classical music history, Armenian musician

Death (age 94)

1950

Anna Bartels, Anniversaries (February 17), Classical music history, singer, opera singer

Death (age 80)

1947

José Carlos Xavier, Anniversaries (February 17), Classical music history, Portuguese operatic tenor

Birth (73th anniversary)

1945

Hans-Joachim Ketelsen, Anniversaries (February 17), Classical music history, performing artist

Birth (75th anniversary)

Ilka Pálmay, Anniversaries (February 17), Classical music history, Hungarian singer and actress

Death (age 85)

1944

Karl Jenkins, Anniversaries (February 17), Classical music history, Welsh musician and composer

Birth (76th anniversary)

Matti Heinikari, Anniversaries (February 17), Classical music history, Finnish opera singer

Birth

1941

Glyn Evans, Anniversaries (February 17), Classical music history, (David) Glyn Evans. Tenor, b Brampton, Ont, 17 Feb 1941; Artist Diploma opera (Toronto) 1973. Evans made his professional debut in 1965 in a performance of Messiah with the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir before attending the University of Toronto Opera Sc

Birth (79th anniversary)