On This Day
On this day in 2020 a restudied production of West Side Story opened on Broadway.
Born on this day in 1911 or so actress Merle Oberon.
STEMdiva status
Ahead of a special boozy, bawdy Valentine’s Day concert, artistic director of Opera Lafayette Patrick Quigley speaks with soprano Maya Kherani about her journey from MIT to rising American Baroque star.
Born on this day in 1926 mezzo-soprano Rita Gorr.
On this day in 1904 Puccini’s Madama Butterfly had its disastrous premiere in Milan. Three years later, though…
Born on this day in 1908 ur-belter Ethel Merman.
On this day in 588 BC Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon laid siege to Jerusalem under Zedekiah’s reign.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Happy 88th birthday to actress Kim Novak.
On this day in 1947 Christian Dior launched the so-called “New Look,” re-establishing Paris as the center of fashion.
Born on this day in 1925 actress Kim Stanley.
Happy 94th birthday soprano Leontyne Price.
Born on this day in 1909 samba singer, dancer, Broadway actress and film star Carmen Miranda.
Happy 34th birthday to soprano Lise Davidsen!
On this day in 1928 soprano Grace Moore made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Mimì.
Born on this day in 1899 actor Ramon Novarro.
On this day in 1949 the legendary Mae West revived her 1928 play Diamond Lil at the Coronet Theatre, playing (ça va sans dire) the title role.
Born on this day in 1918 actress, director and producer Ida Lupino.
Born on this day in 1887 poet and expatriate Gertrude Stein.
Happy 84th birthday soprano Martina Arroyo.
Born on this day in 1922 soprano Renata Tebaldi.
Born on this day in 1902 actress Tallulah Bankhead.
On this day in 1936 Billie Burke presented Ziegfeld Follies of 1936 with (among others) Fanny Brice, Bob Hope, Josephine Baker, Eve Arden, Judy Canova, Harriet Hoctor, Gertrude Niesen and The Nicholas Brothers. (Did I mention that the choreographer was George Balanchine and the sets and costumes were designed by Vincente Minnelli?)
Born on this day in 1882 actress Mary Boland.
On this day in 1974 Carol Channing opened on Broadway in Lorelei, a revision of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, in which she had headlined a quarter of a century earlier.
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.
A Baroque Valentine’s with Opera Lafayette | Feb | DC & NYC
Celebrate love in all its guises with tender ballads, amorous duets, cheeky verses, and bawdy drinking songs plus food, cocktails and wine.