Music History on November 23

Harold in Italy

1834 "Harold in Italy", symphonic work for orchestra and viola by Hector Berlioz, premieres and at the Paris Conservatoire; Chrétien Urhan soloist, with Narcisse Girard conducting

1887 Opera "Trumpeter of Säckingen" 1st American production (NYC)

Caruso's MET Debut

1903 Italian tenor Enrico Caruso makes his US debut at the Metropolitan Opera House, in New York in Giuseppe Verdi's "Rigoletto"

1911 Wilhelm Kienzl's opera "Der Kuhreigen" premieres at the Volksoper in Vienna, Austria-Hungary

This Was a Man

1926 Noël Coward's "This Was a Man" premieres in NYC

Playwright, Director and Singer Noël Coward

Robert Johnson's Ist Recording Session

1936 Legendary Delta blues musician Robert Johnson's first recording session with producer Don Law at the Gunter Hotel, San Antonio, Texas

Ode to Napoleon

1944 Arnold Schoenberg's "Ode to Napoleon" premieres in NYC

1946 Arthur Kay's musical revue of highlights from Victor Herbert operettas "Gypsy Lady" closes at Century Theater, NYC, after 79 performances
1950 Howard Swanson's "Short Symphony" premieres

Fiorello!

1959 Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick's musical "Fiorello!", about New York City mayor Fiorello La Guardia, directed by George Abbott, and starring Tom Bosley, opens at Broadhurst Theater, NYC; runs for 796 performances, winning 3 Tony Awards

Musical Theater Lyricist Sheldon Harnick

1963 "Tambourines to Glory" closes at Little Theater NYC after 24 performances
1964 "Bajour" opens at Shubert Theater NYC for 232 performances
1964 Beatles release single "I Feel Fine" & "She's a Woman"
1965 The Beatles film promotional video clips for 5 of their songs at Twickenham Film Studios to provide to television outlets (in lieu of live appearances)
1968 Musical revue "Noël Coward's Sweet Potato" closes at Booth Theatre, NYC, after 44 performances

Tea for the Tillerman

1970 A&M and Island Records release British folk-rock singer-songwriter Cat Stevens' fourth studio album "Tea for the Tillerman"; featuring singles "Wild World and "Father and Son"

My Sweet Lord

1970 George Harrison releases "My Sweet Lord" single in the US

Jesus Christ Superstar

1977 Revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's musical "Jesus Christ Superstar" opens at Longacre Theater, NYC; runs for 96 performances

Mercury Confirms AIDs

1991 Freddie Mercury, 45, confirms he has AIDS the day before he dies

1992 "Someone Who'll Watch Over Me" opens at Booth NYC for 232 performances
1993 "Angels in America-Perestroika" opens at Walter Kerr NYC for 216 performances

Doggystyle

1993 "Doggystyle" debut album by Snoop Doggy Dogg is released (Billboard Album of the Year 1994)

Sweet Kisses

1999 Jessica Simpson releases her debut studio album "Sweet Kisses"

Rihanna, Brown Win

2008 36th American Music Awards: Rihanna & Chris Brown win

2008 Geffen Records releases rock band Guns N" Roses sixth, and to date last, studio album, "Chinese Democracy"; 8 years in production, with costs over $13 million, it is the most expensive rock album ever made