On this day in 1950, Met audiences thrilled to hear a vivid singing actress performing the title role of Tosca for the first time… in Atlanta, Georgia. 

One of the outstanding things about last night’s “Tosca” was the introduction to Atlanta audiences of a red-haired bombshell from Bulgaria, who burst with such terrific force that people here will be talking about it for a long time. Singing and acting the title role to perfection, Ljuba Welitch, the new Met soprano sensation, captured her listeners at the [first act] curtain, held them spellbound through her dramatic second act aria, “Vissi d’arte,” then carried their hearts with her as she plunged over the castle parapet to end the opera.

She stopped the show with the beloved second act aria. Frenzied applause and shouts of “brava!” filled the auditorium when she had finished. The demonstration lasted almost two minutes. A diva in the old tradition – slightly plump – Miss Welitch is possessor of a beautiful voice with wide range and excellent projection. In addition, she is a real actress.

Speaking of “vivid,” happy 76th birthday Barbra Streisand.