On This Day

To Pav and Pav Not To Pav and Pav Not

On this day in 1996 the Metropolitan Opera opened its season with a revival of Andrea Chénier.

The people’s courtesan The people’s courtesan

On this day in 2003 the Metropolitan Opera opened with a revival of La traviata featuring Renée Fleming as Violetta.

Talk to the animals Talk to the animals

Happy 87th birthday to actress, singer and animal rights activist Brigitte Bardot.

Ghost in the machine Ghost in the machine

On this day in 2010, the Metropolitan Opera opened with a new production of Das Rheingold.

Royalty Royalty

On this day in 1983 the Metropolitan Opera opened its season with a revival of Les Troyens featuring the company debut of Jessye Norman.

Hello, Dolora! Hello, Dolora!

On this day in 1989 General Manager Hugh Southern (not pictured) celebrated his only opening night (he resigned in May 1990).

It’s a nice day for a white wedding It’s a nice day for a white wedding

On this day in 2007 the Metropolitan Opera opened its season with a new production of Lucia di Lammermoor directed by Mary Zimmerman and starring Natalie Dessay.

Another opening, another ‘no’ Another opening, another ‘no’

On this day in 1974 the Metropolitan Opera opened its season with a performance perhaps most notable for who was not present: Montserrat Caballé canceled her own opening night.

“A valiant if not completely successful attempt” “A valiant if not completely successful attempt”

On this day in 1986, the Metropolitan Opera opened its season with a new production of Wagner’s Die Walküre.

Calling cards Calling cards

On this day in 1968 mezzo-soprano Shirley Verrett made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Carmen.

All the same All the same

Happy 87th birthday actress Sophia Loren.

Rex appeal Rex appeal

Happy 66th birthday to actor, singer and babe Rex Smith.

Golden age Golden age

Happy birthday to soprano Anna Netrebko, who turns 50 today.

Dotty, love, you’ve been playing this kind of part for… Dotty, love, you’ve been playing this kind of part for…

Born on this day in 1925 Broadway diva Dorothy Loudon.

Il crepuscolo della dea Il crepuscolo della dea

Left this world on this day 44 years ago in Paris.

“I never set out to be a diva” “I never set out to be a diva”

Born on this day in 1933 actress Zoe Caldwell.

Valiant is the word for Gladys Valiant is the word for Gladys

Born on this day in 1904 actress Gladys George.

String of pearls String of pearls

Born on this day in 1938 mezzo-soprano Tatiana Troyanos.

Hey there Hey there

Happy 54th birthday Harry Connick Jr..

In difficult times fashion is always outrageous In difficult times fashion is always outrageous

Born on this day in 1890 designer Elsa Schiaparelli.

I was always Sylvia I was always Sylvia

Born on this day in 1924 actress Sylvia Miles.

This nearly was mime This nearly was mime

Born on this day in 1910 actor and director Jean-Louis Barrault.

I ain’t the sentimental kind I ain’t the sentimental kind

On this day in 1949 Mae West headlined a revival of her most famous play, Diamond Lil, which she first played more than 20 years earlier.

Miss me blonde Miss me blonde

Happy 61st birthday soprano Karita Mattila.