Essential commemorations and anniversaries in classical music in 2023
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 2023
Some dates to remember in 2023:
- 1883-02-13, Richard Wagner (Death, 1884-01-01)
- 1813-04-10, Giuseppe Verdi (Birth, 1814-01-01)
- 1833-05-07, Johannes Brahms (Birth, 1834-01-01)
- 1893-10-25, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (Death, 1894-01-01)
- 1803-12-11, Hector Berlioz (Birth, 1804-01-01)
No fewer than 3 centenarians are expected in 2023 (and 3 multi-centenarians). This year, among the great figures of classical music to be commemorated are: Edouard Lalo (January), György Ligeti (May), William Byrd (July), Maria Callas (December), Carl Friedrich Abel (December).
There are many more: 1923, 1823, 1723...
2023, a special year for some orchestras and venues
These orchestras celebrate in 2023:
- 500th anniversary (1523)
- Bavarian State Orchestra (Germany)
- 100th anniversary (1923)
- Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra
- Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra
- Sarajevo Philharmonic Orchestra
- Hungarian National Philharmonic (Hungary)
- MDR Symphony Orchestra
- Portland Symphony Orchestra (United States of America)
- San Francisco Opera (United States of America)
and these venues as well:
- 100th anniversary (1923)
- San Francisco Opera, United States of America
- 50th anniversary (1973)
- Sydney Opera House (City of Sydney), Australia
- 0th anniversary (2023)
- Perelman Performing Arts Center (Manhattan), United States of America
All commemorations in 2023, month by month
January
27
Edouard Lalo , Commemorations (2023), Classical music, French composer
200th anniversary (Birth)
February
03
Opera
“Semiramide” , Commemorations (2023), Classical music
Premiere in 1823 (200th anniversary)
Teatro La Fenice
07
Work for choir
“Jesus nahm zu sich die Zwölfe” , Commemorations (2023), Classical music
Premiere in 1723 (300th anniversary)
13
Richard Wagner , Commemorations (2023), Classical music, German composer (1813–1883)
140th anniversary (Death)
17
Work for choir
“Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen” , Commemorations (2023), Classical music
Premiere in 1723 (300th anniversary)
19
Work for orchestra
“Symphony No. 6 in D minor, Op. 104” , Commemorations (2023), Classical music
Premiere in 1923 (100th anniversary)
24
Enrico Caruso , Commemorations (2023), Classical music, Italian opera singer (1873–1921)
150th anniversary (Birth)
01
Sergei Rachmaninoff , Commemorations (2023), Classical music, Russian composer, pianist and conductor (1873–1943)
150th anniversary (Birth)
10
Giuseppe Verdi , Commemorations (2023), Classical music, Italian composer of the Romantic Era
210th anniversary (Birth)
07
Johannes Brahms , Commemorations (2023), Classical music, German composer (1833–1897)
190th anniversary (Birth)
28
György Ligeti , Commemorations (2023), Classical music, Hungarian composer (1923-2006)
100th anniversary (Birth)
13
15
Edvard Grieg , Commemorations (2023), Classical music, Norwegian composer and pianist (1843–1907)
180th anniversary (Birth)
04
William Byrd , Commemorations (2023), Classical music, English composer (ca. 1540-1623)
400th anniversary (Death)
25
Work for choir
“Herr, gehe nicht ins Gericht mit deinem Knecht” , Commemorations (2023), Classical music
Premiere in 1723 (300th anniversary)
September
11
Theodor W. Adorno , Commemorations (2023), Classical music, German philosopher, sociologist and theorist (1903–1969)
120th anniversary (Birth)
October
25
Work for orchestra
“Overture, Op. 81, “Euryanthe”” , Commemorations (2023), Classical music
Premiere in 1823 (200th anniversary)
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky , Commemorations (2023), Classical music, Russian composer (1840–1893)
130th anniversary (Death)
November
01
Victoria de los Ángeles , Commemorations (2023), Classical music, Catalan/Spanish opera singer
100th anniversary (Birth)
December
02
Maria Callas , Commemorations (2023), Classical music, American-born Greek operatic soprano
100th anniversary (Birth)
11
Hector Berlioz , Commemorations (2023), Classical music, French composer and conductor (1803–1869)
220th anniversary (Birth)
22
Carl Friedrich Abel , Commemorations (2023), Classical music, German composer
300th anniversary (Birth)
See also...
Other commemorations and anniversaries
Classical music history
timelines
That year