1791day.year
The first performance of Mozart's opera The Magic Flute takes place two months before his death.
On September 30, 1791, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's opera The Magic Flute premiered at the Theater auf der Wieden in Vienna. This enchanting work, rich in Masonic symbolism and fairy-tale themes, was one of Mozart's last completed masterpieces before his death two months later.
The Magic Flute, with a libretto by Emanuel Schikaneder, combined elements of German singspiel with a fantastical storyline that appealed to both aristocratic and popular audiences. Its inaugural performance on 30 September 1791 introduced arias like 'Der Hölle Rache' that would become iconic in the operatic canon. Mozart crafted a score that blended sacred and profane motifs, reflecting Masonic ideals of enlightenment and moral triumph. The opera featured elaborate stage sets and innovative musical techniques that showcased Mozart's mature artistry. Audiences responded enthusiastically to the work's blend of humor, drama, and spiritual allegory. Just two months after this premiere, Mozart passed away, making The Magic Flute his final operatic gift to the world. Today, it remains one of the most frequently performed operas globally, cherished for its memorable melodies and profound themes.
1791
The Magic Flute
1863day.year
Georges Bizet's opera Les pêcheurs de perles, premiered in Paris.
On September 30, 1863, Georges Bizet's opera Les pêcheurs de perles premiered at the Théâtre-Lyrique in Paris, showcasing the young composer's lyrical talent.
Les pêcheurs de perles (The Pearl Fishers) was one of Bizet's early operatic works, set against a backdrop of exotic Ceylon. The premiere on 30 September 1863 at the Théâtre-Lyrique introduced audiences to the composer's gift for melody and orchestration. Although initial reviews were mixed, the opera contained the famous duet 'Au fond du temple saint', which would become one of Bizet's most enduring numbers. The score blended romantic harmonies with dramatic characterizations, hinting at the composer's later mastery evident in Carmen. Despite its modest success at the time, Les pêcheurs de perles experienced a revival in the late 20th century, gaining appreciation for its attractive arias and lush orchestral textures. Bizet's innovative blending of color and emotion in this work laid the groundwork for his future operatic achievements. Today, the opera is frequently staged and celebrated as an important piece in Bizet's oeuvre.
1863
Georges Bizet
Les pêcheurs de perles
Paris
1939day.year
NBC broadcasts the first televised American football game.
NBC airs the first televised American football game, pioneering sports broadcasting in the United States.
On September 30, 1939, the National Broadcasting Company (NBC) aired the first live television broadcast of an American football game. The college matchup between Fordham University and Waynesburg College was transmitted from New York’s Randall’s Island Stadium. Although only a few hundred television sets were in operation, the broadcast demonstrated the potential of television as a mass medium. Technical challenges included limited camera mobility and low image resolution by modern standards. Nonetheless, the event paved the way for regular sports programming and eventually transformed how audiences consumed athletic events. NBC’s pioneering broadcast marked the beginning of the close relationship between sports and television that endures to this day.
first televised American football game
2016day.year
Two paintings with a combined value of $100 million are recovered after having been stolen from the Van Gogh Museum in 2002.
Two masterpieces stolen from the Van Gogh Museum in 2002 are recovered, valued at $100 million.
In September 2002, two renowned paintings by Vincent van Gogh were brazenly stolen from the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam. For 14 years, the works remained missing until their recovery on September 30, 2016. The paintings, worth an estimated $100 million, were found in secure hiding spots and returned to the museum. The successful operation involved coordinated efforts by international law enforcement and art crime specialists. Their recovery ended one of the art world's most infamous cold cases. The incident highlighted the vulnerabilities of cultural institutions and the importance of art protection measures.
stolen from the Van Gogh Museum