1889 in music#Opera

• 1889 in Norwegian music

• January 4 – Anton Seidl conducts Das Rheingold at the Metropolitan Opera, commencing the first performance of the Ring Cycle in the United States.
• February 17 – César Franck's Symphony in D minor is premièred at the Paris Conservatory under the direction of Jules Garcin.
• May 28 – The first ever pre-recorded wax cylinders of songs, instrumental music, and humorous monologues were introduced by Edison Records. Among them is Johannes Brahms speaking and playing his Hungarian Dance No. 1 and an extract from Josef Strauss's Polka-Mazurka 'Die Libelle' ('The Dragonfly') Op. 204 on the piano.
• November 20 – Gustav Mahler premieres his Symphony No. 1 in Budapest at the Vigadó Concert Hall, at this time described as a "Symphonic-Poem in 2 Parts"; it is not favourably received in this form.{{cite book |last=Painter |first=Karen |author-link= |date=2020 |title=Mahler and His World |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=a83xDwAAQBAJ&pg=PA283 |location= |publisher=Princeton University Press |page=283 |isbn=9780691218359}}
• Emile Berliner markets the first commercial gramophone records.
• Joseph Kekuku is credited with inventing the Hawaiian steel guitar.

• "Ask A Policeman" w. E. W. Rogers m. A. E. Duran Deau
• "Down Went McGinty" w.m. Joseph Flynn
• "Little Annie Rooney (Is My Sweetheart)" w.m. Michael Nolan
• "Oh, Promise Me" w. Clement Scott m. Reginald de Koven
• "Playmates" w.m. Harry Dacre
• "Slide Kelly Slide" w.m. John W. Kelly
• "Take a Pair of Sparkling Eyes" w. W. S. Gilbert m. Arthur Sullivan
• "The Thunderer" m. John Philip Sousa
• "The Washington Post (march)" m. John Philip Sousa

• "22nd Regiment March" – Frank Goede{{Cite web|url=https://archive.org/stream/FirstBookOfPhonographRecords/First%20Book%20of%20Phonograph%20Records#page/n109/mode/2up/search/And+the+Phonograph+is+Listening|title=The First Book Of Phonograph Records|website=archive.org|date=4 April 2017|access-date=2017-10-06}}
• "Ain't Going to Rain No More" – Will Lyle (banjo)
• "Amusement Polka" – John Mitthauer{{Cite web|url=https://archive.org/stream/FirstBookOfPhonographRecords/First%20Book%20of%20Phonograph%20Records#page/n109/mode/2up/search/Franlin|title=The First Book Of Phonograph Records|website=archivue.org|date=4 April 2017|access-date=2017-09-07}}
• "And the Phonograph is Listening" – Will Lyle (banjo){{Cite web|url=https://archive.org/stream/FirstBookOfPhonographRecords/First%20Book%20of%20Phonograph%20Records#page/n155/mode/2up/search/And+the+Phonograph+is+Listening|title = The First Book of Phonograph Records|date = 4 April 2017}}
• "Anniversary March" – Max Franlin{{Cite web|url=https://archive.org/stream/FirstBookOfPhonographRecords/First%20Book%20of%20Phonograph%20Records#page/n115/mode/2up/search/Franlin|title = The First Book of Phonograph Records|date = 4 April 2017}}
• "Arbucklenian Polka" – David B. Dana (cornet) & Edward Issler (piano){{Cite web|url=https://archive.org/stream/FirstBookOfPhonographRecords/First%20Book%20of%20Phonograph%20Records#page/n175/mode/2up|title=The First Book Of Phonograph Records|website=archive.org|date=4 April 2017|access-date=2017-11-16}}
• "The Beggar Student" – Duffy & Imgrund's Fifth Regiment Band{{Cite web|url=https://archive.org/stream/FirstBookOfPhonographRecords/First%20Book%20of%20Phonograph%20Records#page/n141/mode/2up|title=The First Book Of Phonograph Records|website=archive.org|date=4 April 2017|access-date=2017-09-06}}
• "Colonel Wellington's March" – Voss' First Regiment Band{{Cite web|url=https://archive.org/stream/FirstBookOfPhonographRecords/First%20Book%20of%20Phonograph%20Records#page/n137/mode/2up|title=The First Book Of Phonograph Records|website=archive.org|date=4 April 2017|access-date=2017-10-28}}
• "Comin' Thro' the Rye" – George Schweinfest (flute) & Edward Issler (piano){{Cite web|url=https://archive.org/stream/FirstBookOfPhonographRecords/First%20Book%20of%20Phonograph%20Records#page/n147/mode/2up/search/issler|title=The First Book of Phonograph Records|date=4 April 2017}}
• "Dream After the Ball" – George Schweinfest (flute) & Edward Issler (piano){{Cite web|url=https://archive.org/stream/FirstBookOfPhonographRecords/First%20Book%20of%20Phonograph%20Records#page/n147/mode/2up/search/Dream+After+the+Ball|title = The First Book of Phonograph Records|date = 4 April 2017}}
• "Dream of Love" – William Tuson (clarinet) & Edward Issler (piano){{Cite web|url=https://archive.org/stream/FirstBookOfPhonographRecords/First%20Book%20of%20Phonograph%20Records#page/n157/mode/2up/search/Dream+of+Love|title = The First Book of Phonograph Records|date = 4 April 2017}}
• "Down Went McGinty" – Issler's Orchestra{{Cite web|url=https://archive.org/stream/FirstBookOfPhonographRecords/First%20Book%20of%20Phonograph%20Records#page/n171/mode/2up/search/Down+Went+McGinty|title = The First Book of Phonograph Records|date = 4 April 2017}}
• "Fifth Regiment March" – Issler's Orchestra
• "For Right & Liberty" – Issler's Orchestra{{Cite web|url=https://archive.org/stream/FirstBookOfPhonographRecords/First%20Book%20of%20Phonograph%20Records#page/n173/mode/2up|title=The First Book Of Phonograph Records|website=archive.org|date=4 April 2017|access-date=2017-09-06}}
• "Hoboken Pioneers" – Issler's Orchestra{{Cite web|url=https://archive.org/stream/FirstBookOfPhonographRecords/First%20Book%20of%20Phonograph%20Records#page/n171/mode/2up/search/Hoboken+Pioneers|title = The First Book of Phonograph Records|date = 4 April 2017}}
• "Honeymoon Waltz" – Frank Goede
• "Hornpipe Polka" – United States Marine Band{{Cite news|url=https://rateyourmusic.com/list/bayard/1890s-singles-my-top-rated-records-1/|title=1890s Singles – My Top-Rated Records|work=RateYourMusic|access-date=2017-11-29}}
• "Kentucky Jubilee" – Issler's Orchestra
• "Jingle Bells" – Will Lyle (banjo){{Cite web|url=https://archive.org/stream/FirstBookOfPhonographRecords/First%20Book%20of%20Phonograph%20Records#page/n165/mode/2up|title=The First Book Of Phonograph Records|website=archive.org|date=4 April 2017|access-date=2017-10-14}}
• "Jubilee March" – Duffy & Imgrund's Fifth Regiment Band
• "The Men of Wall Street" – George Schweinfest (flute)
• "The Minstrel Boy" – Theodore Hoch{{Cite web|url=https://archive.org/stream/FirstBookOfPhonographRecords/First%20Book%20of%20Phonograph%20Records#page/n121/mode/2up/search/Franlin|title=The First Book Of Phonograph Records|website=archive.org|date=4 April 2017|access-date=2019-05-09}}
• "The Night Alarm" – Duffy & Imgrund's Fifth Regiment Band{{Cite web|url=https://archive.org/stream/FirstBookOfPhonographRecords/First%20Book%20of%20Phonograph%20Records#page/n161/mode/2up/search/Night+Alarm|title=The First Book Of Phonograph Records|website=archive.org|date=4 April 2017|access-date=2017-10-14}}
• "The Pattison Waltz" – Effie Stewart (1863 - 1904) (vocal) & Theo Wangemann (piano)
• "Pearl of Pekin" – Henry Giese
• "The Phonograph Serenade" – Duffy & Imgrund's Fifth Regiment Band{{Cite web|url=https://archive.org/stream/FirstBookOfPhonographRecords/First%20Book%20of%20Phonograph%20Records#page/n139/mode/2up|title=The First Book Of Phonograph Records|website=archive.org|date=4 April 2017|access-date=2017-09-06}}
• "Rattle on a Banjo" – Will Lyle (banjo)
• "Right & Liberty March" – George Schweinfest (flute)
• "Section from 'The Mikado'" – Issler's Orchestra{{Cite web|url=https://archive.org/stream/FirstBookOfPhonographRecords/First%20Book%20of%20Phonograph%20Records#page/n171/mode/2up|title=The First Book Of Phonograph Records|website=archive.org|date=4 April 2017|access-date=2017-10-14}}
• "Song of the Roses" – Duffy & Imgrund's Fifth Regiment Band
• "Semper Fidelis" – Issler's Orchestra
• "The Warbler" – Frank Goede
• "Washington Centennial Parade" – Duffy & Imgrund's Fifth Regiment Band
• "The Wren Polka" – George Schweinfest (flute) & Edward Issler (piano){{Cite web|url=https://archive.org/stream/FirstBookOfPhonographRecords/First%20Book%20of%20Phonograph%20Records#page/n149|title=The First Book Of Phonograph Records|website=archive.org|date=4 April 2017|access-date=2018-07-25}}

• Antonín Dvořák
• Piano Quartet No. 2, Op. 87 (B. 162)
• Symphony No. 8, Op. 88 (B. 163)
• Edward Elgar – "Queen Mary's Song"
• César Franck – "Symphony in D minor" premiers on 2.17.1889 in Paris
• Enrique Granados – Danzas españolas
• Augusta Holmès – Ode triomphale
• Hubert Parry
• Ode on Saint Cecilia's Day
• Symphony No. 3, in C major, "The English" (first performance)
• Symphony No. 4, in E minor (first performance, original version)
• Guy Ropartz
• Cinq pièces brèves, for orchestra
• Carnaval, for orchestra
• Johan Wagenaar – De Schipbreuk (cantata)
• Valentin Zubiaurre – Ecos de Oiz

• Francesco Cilea – Gina
• Antonín Dvořák – Jakobín (premieres February 12,1889 at National Theatre in Prague)
• Robert Fuchs – Die Königsbraut
• Miguel Marqués – El plato del día (libretto by Andrés Ruesga, Manuel Lastra and Enrique Prieto, premiered in Madrid)
• Louisa Melvin Delos Mars – Leoni, the Gypsy Queen (premiered in Providence, Rhode Island)
• Giacomo Puccini – Edgar

• The Gondoliers (Music: Sir Arthur Sullivan Book & Lyrics: W. S. Gilbert) London production opened at the Savoy Theatre on December 7 and ran for 554 performances
• Love's Trickery London production

• {{cite book |last=Upton |first=George P. |author-link=George Putnam Upton |date=1889 |title=The Standard Symphonies, Their History, Their Music, and Their Composers: A Handbook |location=Chicago |publisher=A. C. McClurg and Company}}

• January 31 – Michael Coleman, fiddler (d. 1945)
• February 7 – Claudia Muzio, operatic soprano (d. 1936)
• March 8 – Ina Boyle, Irish composer (d. 1967)
• March 15 – Billy Jones, singer (d. 1940)
• March 16 – Elsie Janis, musical comedy star and songwriter (d. 1956)
• April 3 – Grigoraș Dinicu, Romanian composer and violinist (d. 1948)
• April 8 – Adrian Boult, conductor (d. 1983)
• April 11 – Nick LaRocca – jazz-band leader (d. 1961)
• April 30 – Rudolph Simonsen – composer (d. 1947)
• May 15 – Graziella Pareto, operatic soprano (d. 1973)
• May 16 – Alfred Kalmus, music publisher (d. 1972)
• May 20 – Felix Arndt, pianist & composer (d. 1918)
• May 25 – Gilardo Gilardi, pianist, conductor and composer (d. 1962)
• May 29 – Aksel Agerby, Danish composer, organist, and music administrator (d. 1942)
• July 4 – Joe Young, US lyricist and singer (d. 1939)
• July 10 – Noble Sissle, bandleader and singer (d. 1975)
• August 10 – Cecil Armstrong Gibbs, composer (d. 1960)
• September 10 – Vilém Petrželka, conductor and composer (d. 1967)
• September 26 – Frank Crumit, singer (d. 1943)
• October 3 – Manuel Manetta, jazz musician & teacher (d. 1969)
• October 28 – Juliette Béliveau, actress and singer (d. 1975)
• November 30 – Norman Cocker, organist and composer (d. 1953)
• December 11 – Ben Black, composer and impresario (d. 1950)
• December 25 – Nathaniel Shilkret, composer and musician (d. 1982)
• December 28 – Vaslav Nijinsky, Ballet dancer (d. 1950)
• date unknown – Nellie Briercliffe, singer and actress (d. 1966)

• January 23 – Selina Dolaro, actress and singer (b. 1849) (stroke)
• January 31 – Joseph Gungl, composer and conductor (b. 1810)
• March 3 – Sydney Smith, English composer and pianist (b. 1839)
• March 13 – Felice Varesi, operatic baritone (b. 1813)
• April 6 – Frederick Ouseley, organist, composer and musicologist (b. 1825)
• April 9 – Jean-Baptiste Arban, cornet virtuoso (b. 1825)
• April 30 – Carl Rosa, opera impresario (b. 1842)
• May 30 – Silverio Franconetti, flamenco singer (b. 1831)
• July 7 – Giovanni Bottesini, double bass player and composer (b. 1821){{cite book|author=Burnett R. Toskey|title=Concertos for Violin and Viola: A Comprehensive Encyclopedia|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-ZwJAQAAMAAJ|year=1983|publisher=B.R. Toskey|isbn=978-0-9601054-8-9|page=117}}
• July 14 – Elma Ström, Swedish opera singer (b. 1822)
• July 20 – Gustav Lange, German composer (b. 1830)
• October 5 – Karel Miry, Belgian composer (b. 1823){{cite book|author=Albert Ernest Wier|title=The Macmillan Encyclopedia of Music and Musicians|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aiAKAQAAMAAJ|year=1938|publisher=Macmillan|page=1190}}
• October 10 – Adolf von Henselt, pianist and composer (b. 1814){{cite book|author1=David Mason Greene|author2=Constance Green|title=Greene's Biographical Encyclopedia of Composers|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=m3S7PIxe0mwC&pg=PA626|year=1985|publisher=Reproducing Piano Roll Fnd.|isbn=978-0-385-14278-6|pages=626}}
• November 24 – Frederic Clay, composer (b. 1838) (stroke)
• November 25 – Alojzy Gonzaga Jazon Żółkowski, actor and singer (b. 1814)
• December 13 – Catherine Chislova, ballerina (b. 1846)
• December 31 – Giuseppe Apolloni, composer (b. 1822)
• date unknown
• Jovo Ivanišević, composer (b. 1861)
• Gustaw Lewita, pianist (b. 1855)
• Jeanne-Catherine Pauwels, Belgian pianist (b. 1795)
• Kurmangazy Sagyrbaev, Kazakh folk musician and composer (b. 1818)

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