1740 in music

See also: 1739 in music, other events of 1740, 1741 in music, list of years in music.

Events

• Johann Sebastian Bach begins to lose his sight.

Classical music

• Alfred (masque) by Thomas Arne -- including the song, "Rule, Britannia"
• 12 concerti grossi by George Frideric Handel

Opera

• Semiramide riconosciuta by Bernardo Aliprandi
• Gustavo primo re di Svezia by Baldassare Galuppi
• The Judgement of Hercules by Maurice Greene

Births

• August 10 - Samuel Arnold, composer
• unknown date - Samuel Webbe the elder, composer
• November 4 - Augustus Montague Toplady, hymn-writer

Deaths

• January 5 - Antonio Lotti, composer
• January 25 - Geminiano Giacomelli, composer