The Chicago Theater Air

Drama-Opera-Musical (1940 - 55)

This unique old time 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.

For additional classical and opera radio shows, see also:

• Andre Kostelanetz Show
• Bell Telephone Hour Encores
• Enchanted Hour
• Enchantment of Music
• Hour of Charm
• Light and Mellow Show
• Living Opera Interviews
• Metropolitan Opera
• The Magic Key
• Telephone Hour (Music From America)
• Symphonies of the World
• Lauritz Melchoir Collection
• Voice of Firestone
• Your Symphony Scrapbook
• WPA Concerts