Essential commemorations and anniversaries in classical music in 2021
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 2021
Some dates to remember in 2021:
- 1901-01-27, Giuseppe Verdi (Death, 1903-01-01)
- 1971-04-06, Igor Stravinsky (Death, 1973-01-01)
- 1741-07-28, Antonio Vivaldi (Death, 1743-01-01)
- 1971-09-18, Anna Netrebko (Birth, 1973-01-01)
- 1791-12-05, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Death, 1793-01-01)
No fewer than 9 centenarians are expected in 2021 (and 4 multi-centenarians). This year, among the great figures of classical music to be commemorated are: Mario Lanza (January), Astor Piazzolla (March), Enrico Caruso (August), Josquin des Prez (August), Camille Saint-Saëns (December).
There are many more: 1921, 1821, 1721...
2021, a special year for some orchestras and venues
These orchestras celebrate in 2021:
- 300th anniversary (1721)
- Moscow Synodal Choir (Russia)
- 200th anniversary (1821)
- 100th anniversary (1921)
- London Chamber Orchestra (United Kingdom)
- Netherlands Bach Society (Netherlands)
- West Australian Symphony Orchestra (Australia)
and these venues as well:
- 200th anniversary (1821)
- Strasbourg Opera House, France
- Konzerthaus Berlin (Berlin-Mitte), Germany
- 150th anniversary (1871)
- Royal Albert Hall (City of Westminster), United Kingdom
- 100th anniversary (1921)
- Alexandria Opera House, Egypt
- Romanian National Opera (Bucharest), Romania
- Donaueschingen Festival, Germany
All commemorations in 2021, month by month
January
23
Mykola Leontovych , Commemorations (2021), Classical music, Ukrainian composer, ethnomusicologist, and conductor
100th anniversary (Death)
27
Giuseppe Verdi , Commemorations (2021), Classical music, Italian composer of the Romantic Era
120th anniversary (Death)
31
Mario Lanza , Commemorations (2021), Classical music, American tenor and actor (1921-1959)
100th anniversary (Birth)
February
15
Michael Praetorius , Commemorations (2021), Classical music, German composer, organist, and music theorist
400th anniversary (Death)
11
Astor Piazzolla , Commemorations (2021), Classical music, Argentine tango composer, bandoneon player and arranger
100th anniversary (Birth)
25
Béla Bartók , Commemorations (2021), Classical music, Hungarian composer and pianist
140th anniversary (Birth)
06
Igor Stravinsky , Commemorations (2021), Classical music, Russian composer, pianist and conductor (1882–1971)
50th anniversary (Death)
18
Gustav Mahler , Commemorations (2021), Classical music, Austrian late-Romantic composer (1860–1911)
110th anniversary (Death)
18
Work for orchestra
“Overture, Op. 77, “Der Freischütz”” , Commemorations (2021), Classical music
Premiere in 1821 (200th anniversary)
Konzerthaus Berlin
18
Pauline Viardot , Commemorations (2021), Classical music, French mezzo-soprano and composer
200th anniversary (Birth)
24
Giuseppe di Di Stefano , Commemorations (2021), Classical music, Italian opera singer
100th anniversary (Birth)
28
Antonio Vivaldi , Commemorations (2021), Classical music, Italian composer and violinist (1678-1741)
280th anniversary (Death)
August
02
Enrico Caruso , Commemorations (2021), Classical music, Italian operatic tenor (1873-1921)
100th anniversary (Death)
27
Josquin des Prez , Commemorations (2021), Classical music, composer of the Renaissance (c. 1450–1521)
500th anniversary (Death)
September
08
Antonín Dvořák , Commemorations (2021), Classical music, Czech composer
180th anniversary (Birth)
18
Anna Netrebko , Commemorations (2021), Classical music, Russian-born Austrian operatic soprano
50th anniversary (Birth)
27
Engelbert Humperdinck , Commemorations (2021), Classical music, German composer
100th anniversary (Death)
October
11
Anton Bruckner , Commemorations (2021), Classical music, Austrian composer (1824-1896)
125th anniversary (Death)
16
Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck , Commemorations (2021), Classical music, Dutch composer, organist, and pedagogue in the Renaissance-Baroque eras
400th anniversary (Death)
22
Franz Liszt , Commemorations (2021), Classical music, Hungarian romantic composer and virtuoso pianist (1811–1886)
210th anniversary (Birth)
November
05
György Cziffra , Commemorations (2021), Classical music, Hungarian-French virtuoso pianist and composer (1921-1994)
100th anniversary (Birth)
23
Opera
“Katya Kabanova” , Commemorations (2021), Classical music
Premiere in 1921 (100th anniversary)
Mahen Theatre
December
04
Deanna Durbin , Commemorations (2021), Classical music, Canadian singer and actress (1921-2013)
100th anniversary (Birth)
05
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart , Commemorations (2021), Classical music, Austrian composer of the Classical period (1756-1791)
230th anniversary (Death)
16
Camille Saint-Saëns , Commemorations (2021), Classical music, French composer, organist, conductor and pianist
100th anniversary (Death)
24
Opera
“Aida” , Commemorations (2021), Classical music
Premiere in 1871 (150th anniversary)
Khedivial Opera House
30
Opera
“The Love for Three Oranges, Op. 33” , Commemorations (2021), Classical music
Premiere in 1921 (100th anniversary)
Auditorium Theatre
See also...
Other commemorations and anniversaries
Classical music history
timelines
That year