On this day in 1914 Victor Herbert’s Madeleine premiered at the Metropolitan Opera. Born on this day in 1732 playwright Pierre-Augustin BeaumarchaisBorn on this day in 1746 patron, librettist and operatic inspiration Gustavus IIIBorn on this day in 1776 composer, writer and operatic inspiration E T A HoffmannBorn on this day in 1891 bass-baritone Jaro ProhaskaBorn on this day in 1905 mezzo-soprano Elena NicolaiBorn on this day in 1918 composer Gottfried von EinemBorn on this day in 1919 composer and conductor Leon KirchnerHappy 85th birthday contralto Birgit FinniläHappy birthday to radio presenter (and mezzo-soprano) Naomi Lewin
A perfect day
On this day in 1914 Victor Herbert’s Madeleine premiered at the Metropolitan Opera.
WindyCityOperaman
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.
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Tell us: What was the best of 2025?
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.