This article is about music-related events in 1871.
Events
March 29 – The Royal Albert Hall is opened in London incorporating a grand organ by Henry Willis & Sons, the world's largest at this time, on which Anton Bruckner gives a series of recitals.
Autumn – Charles Gounod begins a stay with soprano Georgina Weldon and her husband in London.
December 24 – Giuseppe Verdi's opera Aida premières at the Khedivial Opera House in Cairo.
December 26 – The Victorian burlesque Thespis, first of the Gilbert and Sullivan light opera collaborations, premières at the Gaiety Theatre, London. It does modestly well, but the two composers will not again work together until 1875.
Asger Hamerik becomes musical director of the Peabody Institute in Baltimore, Maryland.
Published popular music
"The Blue and the Gray" by James W. Long
"Good Bye, Liza Jane" (anon)
"The Little Church Around The Corner" w.m. Charles A. White
"The Little Old Log Cabin In The Lane" w.m. William S. Hays
"Mollie Darling" w.m. William S. Hays
"Oh aint I got the Blues!" by A.A. Chapman
"Onward, Christian Soldiers" w. Rev. Sabine Baring-Gould m. Sir Arthur Sullivan
"Reuben and Rachel" w. Harry Birch m. William Gooch
"Susan Jane" w.m. William S. Hays
"The angels are calling me, Mother," words by Samuel N. Mitchell, music by William A. Huntley
Classical music
Georges Bizet – Jeux d'enfants
Dudley Buck – Variations on a Scotch Air, Op.51
Hans von Bülow – Il Carnevale di Milano, Op.21
Peter Cornelius – Chorgesänge
Charles Gounod – Boléro, CG 354
Stephen Heller – Freischütz Studien, Op.127
Adolf Jensen – 12 Lieder aus Joseph Victor Scheffels Gaudeamus, Op.40
Jules Massenet
Dialogue nocturne
Le roman d'Arlequin
Rêvons, c'est l'heure
Scènes hongroises, premiered November 26 in Paris
Karl Matys – 4 Solostücke, Op.15
Olivier Metra
Espérance Waltz
La vague
Johann Rufinatscha
6 Charakterstücke, Op.14
Fantasie in B major for piano, Op.15
Camille Saint-Saëns – Romance, Op. 37
Eduard Strauss – Fesche Geister, Op.75
Johann Strauss, Jr.
Indigo-Quadrille, Op.344
Tausend und eine Nacht, Op.346
Arthur Sullivan – The Merchant of Venice, premiered November 19 in Manchester