Events in Music Dec 7 The Royal Opera House opens at Covent Garden, London. Birthdays in Music Dec 13 Jean-Claude Trial, composer Deaths in Music Dec 4 John Gay, English poet (Beggar's Opera), dies at 47 Dec 14 Johann Philipp Fortsch, composer, dies at 80 Dec 18 Johann Valentin Eckelt, composer, dies at 59 Share On Facebook Share On Twitter 1731 On This Day in Music 1733