- Jan 7 Johan Lindegren, Swedish composer, musician and teacher, born in Ullared, Sweden (d. 1908)
- Jan 22 Henri Maréchal, French composer, born in Paris, France (d. 1924)
- Feb 3 Sidney Lanier, American poet and composer, born in Macon, Georgia (d. 1881)
- Feb 24 Arrigo Boito, Itlaian opera composer (Mefistofele), and librettist (Verdi's "Falstaff"; Ponchielli's "La Gioconda"), born in Padua, Italy (d. 1918)
- Mar 22 Carl Rosa, German-born violinist and composer (founder of the Rosa opera company that toured UK and US), born in Hamburg (d. 1889)
- Mar 22 Mykola Lysenko, Ukrainian composer (Taras Bulba), conductor and ethno-musicologist, born in Hrynky, Russian Empire (now Ukraine) (d. 1912)
- Apr 14 Sven August Körling, Swedish composer, born in Misterhult, Sweden (d. 1919)
- Apr 29 Carl Millöcker, Austrian composer, born in Vienna (d. 1899)
- May 5 Johann Nepomuk Fuchs, Austrian composer, born in Frauental, Styria, Austria (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
- Jun 12 Rikard Nordraak, Norwegian composer, born in Oslo, Norway (d. 1866)
- Jun 19 Carl Johann Adam Zeller, Austrian composer, born in Sankt Peter in der Au, Austria (d. 1898)
- Jun 29 Josef Labor, Austrian composer, born in Hořovice, Bohemia (d. 1924)
- Jul 4 Gyula Erkel, Hungarian composer, son of Ferenc Erkel, born in Pest (d. 1909)
- Aug 30 Victor Alphonse Duvernoy, French pianist and composer, born in Paris (d. 1907)
- Sep 13 Ödön Mihalovich, Hungarian composer, born in Fericsánci, Slavonia (d. 1929)
- Sep 23 Karl Munzinger, composer
- Oct 24 Josef Nešvera, Czech composer, born in Praskolesy, Czech Republic (d. 1914)
- Nov 2 Otto Reubke, German organist, conductor, and composer, born in Hausneindorf, Kingdom of Prussia (d. 1913)
- Dec 15 Henry Gadsby, English musician and composer, born in Hackney, England (d. 1907)
- Dec 24 Nicola d' Arienzo, Italian composer and writer, born in Naples, Italy (d. 1915)
- Dec 28 Calixa Lavallee, Canadian composer (O Canada), born in Verchères (d. 1891)