Giuseppe Verdi's opera Nabucco, about the Hebrews in Assyrian bondage, opened at the Astor Place Opera House in New York City. (By John Osborne)

Class hostilities in New York City, given occasion over an actor's feud, brokr out at the Astor Place Opera House, killing twenty-two and injuring thirty-six in widespread rioting. (By John Osborne)

Gisuseppe Verdi's opera Rigoletto has its first performance in the United States at the Academy of Music in New York City. (By John Osborne)

Richard Wagner's opera Lohengrin had its first ever performance in Weimar in Germany, on Goethe's birthday, Franz Liszt conducting. (By John Osborne)