See also: 1716 in music, other events of 1717, 1718 in music, list of years in music.

Events

• George Frideric Handel's "Water Music" is performed on the River Thames.
• Johann Sebastian Bach is appointed Kapellmeister by Prince Leopold of Anhalt-Cöthen.

Classical music

• The Loves of Mars and Venus (ballet) - John Weaver
• Brandenburg Concertos - Johann Sebastian Bach

Opera

• Penelope la Casta and L'Incoronazione di Dario - Antonio Vivaldi

Births

• April 9 - Georg Matthias Monn , composer
• June 19 - Johann Stamitz, composer
• June 27 - Giacomo Durazzo , operatic impresario
• June 30 - Johann Stamitz, violinist and composer
• exact date unknown - William Williams Pantycelyn, Welsh hymn writer

Deaths

• February 11 - Johann Jacob Walther , composer