See also: 1847 in music, other events of 1848, 1849 in music and the list of 'years in music'.

Events

• Richard Wagner begins writing libretto that will become Der Ring des Nibelungen (The Ring of the Nibelung).
• Franz Liszt takes up full-time post as conductor to the Weimar court orchestra

Popular music

• "Oh! Susanna!" by Stephen Foster

Births

• February 23 - Thomas Paine Westendorf, composer
• 27 February - Hubert Parry, composer
• March 31 - John Henry Roberts, composer
• September 5 - Manuel Giro, composer
• unknown date - Otto Malling
• unknown date - Henri Duparc

Deaths

• April 8 - Gaetano Donizetti