Events in Music History in 1940

Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet

Jan 11 Sergei Prokofiev's ballet "Romeo & Juliet" premieres in Leningrad

Les Illuminations

Jan 30 Benjamin Britten's song cycle "Les Illuminations" premieres at Aeolian Hall, London, England with soprano Sophie Wyss and the Boyd Neel Orchestra

Sinatra in Indianapolis

Feb 2 Frank Sinatra performs at the Lyric Theater in Indianapolis, Indiana, his first as featured singer with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra

"Tuxedo Junction"

Feb 5 Glenn Miller and his Orchestra record "Tuxedo Junction"

  • Feb 8 Lewis & Hamilton's musical "Two for the Show" premieres in NYC
  • Feb 10 "In The Mood" by Glenn Miller hits #1
  • Feb 20 Larry Clinton & his Orchestra record "Limehouse Blues"
  • Mar 3 American bandleader Artie Shaw records "Frenesi" on RCA Victor label
  • Mar 10 1st US opera telecast, W2XBS, NYC: Ruggero Leoncavallo's "Pagliacci"

The Road to Singapore

Mar 14 "The Road to Singapore" directed by Victor Schertzinger starring Bob Hope, Bing Crosby and Dorothy Lamour, first of seven such films, premieres

Walk With Music

Apr 4 Hoagy Carmichael and Johnny Mercer's musical "Walk With Music", opens at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre, NYC; runs for 50 performances

Higher & Higher

Apr 4 Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart's musical "Higher & Higher" premieres in NYC

  • Apr 16 Heitor Villa-Lobos' opera "Izaht" premieres in Rio de Janeiro
  • Apr 23 Dance hall fires kills 198 in Natchez, Mississippi
  • Apr 28 Glenn Miller records "Pennsylvania 6-5000"

Louisiana Purchase

May 28 Irving Berlin's musical "Louisiana Purchase", satirizing Huey Long's political power, opens at The Imperial Theatre, NYC; runs for 444 performances

1st Billboard Singles Chart

Jul 20 Billboard publishes its 1st singles record chart - "I'll Never Smile Again" by Tommy Dorsey, with vocal by Frank Sinatra is #1

Music History

Jul 20 Hoagy Carmichael and Johnny Mercer's musical "Walk With Music", closes at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre, NYC, after 50 performances

  • Jul 27 Billboard magazine starts publishing bestseller charts
  • Aug 3 James Thurber and Elliott Nugent's stage comedy "The Male Animal" closes at the Cort Theater. NYC, after 243 performances

Strike Up the Band

Sep 29 Musical film "Strike Up the Band" starring Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland opens

  • Oct 25 Vernon Duke and John Latouche's musical "Cabin In The Sky" opens at the Martin Beck Theatre, NYC; runs for 156 performances

Panama Hattie

Oct 30 Cole Porter's musical "Panama Hattie" opens at 46th Street Theatre, NYC; runs 501 performances

Fantasia

Nov 13 Walt Disney's animated film "Fantasia", starring Leopold Stokowski, The Philadelphia Orchestra, Mickey Mouse, and ballet dancing hippopotamuses, premieres at the Broadway Theatre, New York City

"Pal Joey"

Dec 25 Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart's musical "Pal Joey", starring Gene Kelly and Vivienne Segal, opens at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre (later transferring to Shubert, and then the St. James), NYC; runs for 374 performances