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
• Zenobia by Luca Antonio Predieri

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
• unknown date – Domenico Alberti, composer