CHICAGO THEATER OF THE AIR
Drama-Opera-Musical (1940 - 55) This unique radio show was created during the rising popularity of operas
and dramas in the 1940s with an attempt to add high culture to American
entertainment. The operas were sensitively translated into English and
were supplemented by strong story dramas. The combination is quite
successful and the show covered a variety of operas such as Madame
Butterfly, The Vagabond King, The Merry Widow and many others. The show
was 60 minutes long as the creators prided themselves in utilizing the
complete music and intended plot for each opera.