On this day in 1931, the Metropolitan Opera offered the first installment of its matinee radio broadcast series.
Born on this day in 1815 librettist Temistocle SoleraBorn on this day in 1888 composer Gabriel von WayditchBorn on this day in 1900 contralto Gladys Swarthout (with music for the holiday)Born on this day in 1908 writer Quentin CrispHappy 82nd birthday bass Bonaldo GiaiottiHappy 33rd birthday soprano Sonya Yoncheva
Dan Soda (Windy City Operaman) is a Chicago native whose first visit to opera was at age 17 and Massenet’s Werther with Troyanos and Kraus. Nothing was ever the same. Opera and concert performances, recordings and video are an obsession. He prepares Parterre Box’s daily birthday and anniversary tributes. He also enjoys concerts, live theater and movies.
Parterre Box concludes the thrilling first year of Talk of the Town by inviting your lightning rod opinions on several more categories of operatic argumentation.
