A journey to a star
Born on this day in 1895 film choreographer and director Busby Berkeley.
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.
Fill me with flaming desire
On this day in 1934 torch singer Libby Holman moaned the Howard Dietz and Arthur Schwartz standard “You and the Night and the Music” on the opening night of the musical Revenge with Music.
Prima ballerina
On this day in 1951 the Metropolitan Opera opened its season with a new production of Aida, which featured the debut of African-American dancer Janet Collins.
“Maybe nothing ever like it”
On this day in 1961 soprano Joan Sutherland made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Lucia.
An opening for a princess
On this day in 1959 Once Upon a Mattress transfered to the Alvin Theatre. The show, by composer Mary Rodgers, ran 450 performances and made a star of Carol Burnett.
This daughter of Wotan
httpvh://youtu.be/Lkqirt1qjsc Born on this day in 1848 soprano Lilli Lehmann. On this day in 1938 tenor Jussi Bjoerling made his Met debut as Rodolfo. Mafalda Favero also made her debut as Mimi. httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OajZ9SCQO8 httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXY3IoMWPfw
Popular success
On this day in 1903 Enrico Caruso made his Metropolitan Opera debut as the Duke of Mantua.
“It is cruel, you know, that music should be so beautiful”
Born on this day in 1913 composer Benjamin Britten.
Dark victory
On this day in 1967 conductor Herbert von Karajan bowed at the Metropolitan Opera conducting and directing Die Walküre.
Even the orchestra is beautiful
On this day in 1966 the landmark concept musical Cabaret opened at the Broadhurst Theatre to run 1,165 performances.
The way she was
On this day in 1962 soprano Régine Crespin made her Metropolitan Opera debut as the Marschallin.
Shining star
On this day in 1974 tenor José Carreras made his Metropolitan Opera debut as Cavardossi.
Silver lining
On this day in 1975 soprano Roberta Peters celebrated the 25th anniversary of her Metropolitan Opera debut, singing Despina.
Living in the past
On this day in 1981 Stephen Sondheim‘s Merrily We Roll Along opened at the Alvin Theatre, to run 16 performances.
A star is born
On this day in 1918 soprano Rosa Ponselle made her Metropolitan Opera debut (and her first appearance in opera!) as Leonora in La forza del destino.
Light my fire
Born on this day in 1926 soprano Leonie Rysanek.
“Let me feel, not speak”
On this day in 1906 Alla Nazimova made her Broadway debut in the title role of Hedda Gabler at the Princess Theatre.
The constant nymph
On this day in 1993 Dvorak’s Rusalka finally appeared at the Met, with Gabriela Benacková in the title role.
She tells me you’re some sort of a genius
Born on this day in 1889 film and stage actor Claude Rains.
To draw a firm line
Born on this day in 1883 stage and film actress Edna May Oliver.
Burnished
On this day in 1965 bass Nicolai Ghiaurov made his Metropolitan Opera debut as Méphistophélès.
A tidal wave of a voice
Happy 83rd birthday soprano Gwyneth Jones.
Touch me and you’ll burn
On this day in 1928 the Metropolitan Opera presented the American premiere of Richard Strauss‘s Die Ägyptische Helena.
Not the marrying kind
Happy 47th birthday baritone Mariusz Kwiecien.
Win a Free Ticket to Opening Night at the Met!
Quinn Kelsey and Lise Davidsen star in the Met's new Macbeth. We're giving away one ticket, so screw your courage to the sticking place and enter now!
I’ll take the fall
The days are getting shorter, but you can keep the prattle going this fall’s Talk of the Town! You will, you can, you must join in the discussion about: Great mezzo soprano performances (October),
Gained in translation (November), Teleport me back to… (December).
