On This Day
On this day in 1988, the fire effects in the Judgment Scene from Aida at the Met got a little out of control.
Born on this day in 1923 actress and singer Mary McCarty.
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.
Born on this day in 1926 songstress Julie London.
On this day in 1928, Rodgers and Hart’s flop musical Chee-Chee (it’s about eunuchs) opened on Broadway.
Born on this day baritones Cornell MacNeil, Ettore Bastianini (both in 1922) and Pablo Elvira (1938).
On this day in 1974 the Metropolitan Opera opened its season with a revival of I Vespri Siciliani.
Born on this day in 1894 soprano Elisabeth Rethberg.
On this day in 1968 mezzo-soprano Shirley Verrett made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Carmen.
Happy 86th birthday actress Sophia Loren.
On this day in 1904 female impersonator Julian Eltinge made his Broadway debut in the Jerome Kern musical Mr. Wix of Wickham.
Born on this day in 1905 actress Greta Garbo.
On this day in 1973, the Metropolitan Opera opened its season with a performance of Il trovatore featuring Plácido Domingo, Martina Arroyo, Cornell MacNeil, Mignon Dunn and John Macurdy.
Left this world on this day 43 years ago in Paris.
Born on this day in 1945 soprano Jessye Norman.
On this day in 1954 Britten’s Turn of the Screw premiered in Venice.
Born on this day in 1903 actress Claudette Colbert.
On this day in 1866 the Broadway musical was born. Sort of.
Born on this day in day in 1995 1895 composer Herbert Stothart.
Born on this day in 1890 designer Elsa Schiaparelli.
Born on this day in 1873 opera and stage director Max Reinhardt.
Born on this day in 1921 actress Alexis Smith.
Here’s ineffable Lainie Kazan, putting the “MDA” in the MDA Labor Day Telethon.
Happy 83rd birthday actress, singer and comedienne Jo Anne Worley.
Happy 60th birthday soprano Karita Mattila.
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.
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.