Events in Music History in 1871

Oct 6 Fisk Jubilee Singers, an African-American a cappella ensembe from Nashville's Fisk University, begin 1st national tour of US in Cincinnati, Ohio
Dec 24 Giusseppi Verdi's "Aida" opera premieres in Cairo, Egypt

"Thespis"

Dec 26 W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan collaborate for the first time, on their lost opera "Thespis"; despite modest success they do not collaborate again for four years