- May 5 Johann Nepomuk Fuchs, Austrian composer, born in Frauental, Styria, Austrian Empire (d. 1899)
Jules Massenet (1842-1912)
May 12 French opera composer (Werther; Manon), born in Montaud, France
Arthur Sullivan (1842-1900)
May 13 British composer (The Golden Legend; Onward, Christian Soldiers), major-generally remembered for his comic operas with W.S. Gilbert (The Pirates of Penzance:, H.M.S Pinafore; The Mikado), born in London