On This Day

May 1791 in Music History

Birthdays in Music

  • May 11 Jan Vaclav Hugo Vorisek, composer
  • May 29 Pietro Romani, Italian conductor and composer, born in Rome (d. 1877)

Deaths in Music


Person of interestFrancis Hopkinson

May 9 Francis Hopkinson, American author and composer (designed the first American flag), dies from an apoplectic seizure at 53

Designer of the American Flag Francis Hopkinson
Designer of the American Flag
Francis Hopkinson
  • May 28 Joseph Schmitt, German Dutch composer, dies at 57
  • May 30 Ildephons Haas, German composer, dies at 56


1791 in Music History