See also: 1864 in music, other events of 1865, 1866 in music and the list of 'years in music'.

Events

• Giacomo Meyerbeer's opera L'Africaine is posthumously debuted in Paris at the Grand Opéra (April 28)
• Richard Wagner's opera Tristan und Isolde debuts in Munich at the Court Opera (June 10)
• Franz von Suppé's operetta Die schöne Galathee debuts in Vienna's Carl-Theater (September 9)
• Franz Schubert's "Unfinished Symphony" debuts posthumously in Vienna (December 17)

Published popular songs

• "Jeff in Pettycoats" by Henry Tucker
• "Marching Through Georgia" w.m. Henry Clay Work
• "Roll Jordan Roll" traditional spiritual
• "Tramp, Tramp, Tramp" w.m. George Frederick Root

Classical music

• Felix Draeseke - Lacrimosa

Musical theater

• Orpheus In The Underworld, London production opened at Her Majesty's Theatre on December 26 and ran for 76 performances

Births

• August 10 - Alexander Glazunov, composer
• October 1 - Paul Dukas, composer
• October 14 - Walter B. Rogers
• December 8 - Jean Sibelius, composer
• December 25 - Fay Templeton , US singer and actress

Deaths