June 9, 1810:
Carl Otto Ehrenfried Nicolai is born at Steindamm 277 in Königsberg (Kaliningrad), Kingdom of Prussia, the only child of the union of Carl Ernst Daniel Nicolai, a composer, and Christiane Wilhelmine Lauber, the daughter of a minister. The marriage of his parents will end in a few months owing to the physical and mental condition of his mother. He will grow up with foster parents until age 10.
June 21, 1810:
Otto Nicolai (0) is baptized in the Lutheran Steindamm Church, Königsberg.
June 27, 1831:
Otto Nicolai (21) sings the part of Jesus in a Berlin production of the St. Matthew Passion of Johann Sebastian Bach (†80).
July 1, 1831:
The Geburtstagkantate Eilt herbei, des Hauses Glieder for chorus and piano by Otto Nicolai (21) to words possibly by Gneinzius, is performed for the first time for the birthday of Frau Landräthin Wilhelmine von Münchhausen.
August 26, 1832:
Messe in D-Dur for soloists, chorus, and orchestra by Otto Nicolai (22) is performed for the first time, in Berlin.
January 7, 1833:
Tänze für den Berliner Künstlerball for orchestra by Otto Nicolai (22) are performed for the first time, in Berlin.
April 13, 1833:
Otto Nicolai (22) gives his first concert in Berlin as composer, singer and pianist. Several works are premiered, including the Symphony no.1, Variationen über Webers “Schlaf Herzenssöhnchen” op.19 for soprano and piano, and his scene and aria Tell auf der Strasse nach Küssnacht op.22.
April 18, 1833:
Hymnus zum Dürerfest for chorus and brass by Otto Nicolai (22) is performed for the first time, in Berlin.
May 23, 1833:
The Weihnachts-Ouverture über den Choral “Vom Himmel hoch, da komm’ ich her” for chorus, orchestra, and organ by Otto Nicolai (22) is performed for the first time, in Berlin.
December 11, 1833:
Auf zum Sitz der Geister for chorus by Otto Nicolai (23) to words of Ribbeck is performed for the first time, in Berlin.
November 11, 1834:
Fantaisie et variations brillantes sur des motifs de L’Opéra La Norma de Bellini op.25 for piano and strings by Otto Nicolai (24) is performed for the first time, in Leipzig.
October 18, 1835:
The Hochzeitskantate Cassia La sede empirea for four voices and piano by Otto Nicolai (25) is performed for the first time.
October 21, 1836:
The Trauerkantate on the death of Maria Malibran for chorus and orchestra by Otto Nicolai (25), to words possibly by Bonnetti, is performed for the first time, in Bologna.
April 28, 1837:
The aria “Jo l’amai di fiamma pupra” and quintet “Un turbamento orcano” from the opera La figlia abbandonata by Otto Nicolai (26) are performed for the first time, in Milan.
June 1, 1837:
Otto Nicolai (26) takes up his position as Kapellmeister of the Vienna Hofburgtheater.
August 25, 1838:
A Rondo-finale to Saverio Mercadantes opera I Briganti for soprano and orchestra by Otto Nicolai (28) is performed for the first time.
November 26, 1839:
Enrico II, a melodramma serio by Otto Nicolai (29) to words of Romani, is performed for the first time, in Teatro grande Trieste.
February 11, 1840:
Il templario, a melodramma by Otto Nicolai (29) to words of Marini after Scott, is performed for the first time, in Regio Teatro, Turin. It is extremely successful.
December 26, 1840:
Otto Nicolai’s (30) melodramma Gildippe ed Odoardo to words of Solera after Tasso, is performed for the first time, in Teatro Carlo Felice, Genoa.
March 13, 1841:
Il proscritto, a melodramma tragico by Otto Nicolai (30) to words of Rossi, is performed for the first time, in Teatro alla Scala, Milan.
August 30, 1841:
Otto Nicolai (31) becomes engaged to the singer Ermina Frezzolini.
April 4, 1843:
Kirchliche Fest-Ouvertüre über den Choral “Ein feste Burg is unser Gott” op.31 for chorus, orchestra, and organ by Otto Nicolai (32) is performed for the first time, in Leipzig.
September 2, 1844:
Denn er hat seinen Engeln befohlen über dir for double chorus by Felix Mendelssohn (35) is performed for the first time, in Königsberg Cathedral, directed by Otto Nicolai (34). King Friedrich Wilhelm IV is in attendance.
November 30, 1845:
The revised version of the Symphony no.2 by Otto Nicolai (35) is performed for the first time, in Berlin.
October 14, 1847:
Otto Nicolai (37) is named Kapellmeister at the Royal Opera House, Berlin and artistic director of the cathedral choir. In this capacity he succeeds Mendelssohn (38).
November 11, 1847:
A German Liturgy for chorus and Psalm 98 for solo voice, chorus, two harps, two trumpets, and three trombones by Otto Nicolai (37) are performed for the first time, in Berlin.
March 1, 1848:
Otto Nicolai (37) becomes Kapellmeister at the Berlin Opera.
September 24, 1848:
Psalm 84 for chorus and Psalm 100 for four solo voices and chorus by Otto Nicolai (38) are performed for the first time, for the consecration of the Friedenskirche, Sanssouci.
December 14, 1848:
Preußens Stimme for voice and piano by Otto Nicolai (38) to words of Lange is performed for the first time, in Berlin.
March 9, 1849:
Die lustigen Weiber von Windsor, a komische-fantastische Oper by Otto Nicolai (38) to words of Mosenthal after Shakespeare, is performed for the first time, at the Royal Opera House, Berlin.
May 11, 1849:
After a cathedral choir concert, Otto Nicolai suffers a stroke and dies in Berlin, Kingdom of Prussia, aged 38 years, eleven months, and two days. He never learns of his election as a member of the Royal Academy of Arts earlier in the day. Nicolai’s mortal remains will be interred in the Dorotheenstädtische Friedhof II, Berlin.