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.
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.
Born on this day in 1923 actress and singer Anne Jeffreys.
Born on this day in 1963 tenor Marcello Giordani.
Born on this day in 76 AD Roman Emperor Hadrian.
Happy 91st birthday soprano Teresa Zylis-Gara.
Born on this day in 1909 actress Ann Sothern.
Born on this day in 1926 bodybuilder and actor Steve Reeves.
Born on this day in 1920 screenwriter and director Federico Fellini.
Born on this day in 1930 actress and activist ‘Tippi’ Hedren.
Happy 75th birthday soprano Katia Ricciarelli.
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.
