Milton Cross
Encyclopedia
Milton John Cross was an American radio announcer famous for his work on the NBC
and ABC
radio networks.
He was best known as the voice of the Metropolitan Opera
, hosting its Saturday afternoon radio broadcasts
for 43 years, from the time of their inception in 1931 until his death in 1975.
, Cross started his career just as network radio itself was in its earliest stages. He joined the New Jersey station WJZ
in 1921, not just as an announcer but also as a singer, often enaging in recitals with the station's staff pianist, Keith McLeod
. By 1927, WJZ had moved to Manhattan and had become the flagship station of the Blue Network
of NBC's new national radio network. Cross' voice became familiar as he not only delivered announcements for the Blue Network but also hosted a number of popular programs. Cross was the announcer for the quiz program Information Please
and the musical humor show The Chamber Music Society of Lower Basin Street
, among others.
at Broadway and 40th Street. In 1966, he introduced the radio audience to the Met's new home
at Lincoln Center as he hosted a special broadcast of the opening night performance from a modern radio booth in the new house.
In 43 seasons he missed only two broadcasts, due to the death of his wife. Cross never retired but died in New York from a heart attack
during the Met season of 1974-75. He was succeeded by Peter Allen, who had been his standby announcer.
A native New Yorker, Cross died in New York City where he had lived all his life.
's album, "P.D.Q. Bach: The Stoned Guest." Will Jordan
played "Milton Host," the host for the opera quiz, with a voice strikingly similar to Cross'.
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
and ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
radio networks.
He was best known as the voice of the Metropolitan Opera
Metropolitan Opera
The Metropolitan Opera is an opera company, located in New York City. Originally founded in 1880, the company gave its first performance on October 22, 1883. The company is operated by the non-profit Metropolitan Opera Association, with Peter Gelb as general manager...
, hosting its Saturday afternoon radio broadcasts
Metropolitan Opera radio broadcasts
The Metropolitan Opera radio broadcasts are a regular series of weekly broadcasts on network radio of full-length opera performances. They are transmitted live from the stage of the Metropolitan Opera in New York City...
for 43 years, from the time of their inception in 1931 until his death in 1975.
Biography
Born in New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, Cross started his career just as network radio itself was in its earliest stages. He joined the New Jersey station WJZ
WABC (AM)
WABC , known as "NewsTalkRadio 77 WABC" is a radio station in New York City. Owned by the broadcasting division of Cumulus Media, the station broadcasts on a clear channel and is the flagship station of Cumulus Media Networks...
in 1921, not just as an announcer but also as a singer, often enaging in recitals with the station's staff pianist, Keith McLeod
Keith McLeod
Keith McLeod is an American professional basketball player, who plays point guard for the Canton Charge of the NBA Development League. He is 6' 2" tall...
. By 1927, WJZ had moved to Manhattan and had become the flagship station of the Blue Network
Blue Network
The Blue Network, and its immediate predecessor, the NBC Blue Network, were the on-air names of an American radio production and distribution service from 1927 to 1945...
of NBC's new national radio network. Cross' voice became familiar as he not only delivered announcements for the Blue Network but also hosted a number of popular programs. Cross was the announcer for the quiz program Information Please
Information Please
Information Please was an American radio quiz show, created by Dan Golenpaul, which aired on NBC from May 17, 1938 to April 22, 1951. The title was the contemporary phrase used to request from telephone operators what was then called "information" but is now called "directory assistance".The series...
and the musical humor show The Chamber Music Society of Lower Basin Street
The Chamber Music Society of Lower Basin Street
The Chamber Music Society of Lower Basin Street was a musical variety radio program which began on the Blue Network in 1940. The magazine Radio Life described it as "one of radio's strangest offsprings... a wacky, strictly hep tongue-in-cheek burlesque of opera and symphony."It was a weekly...
, among others.
Metropolitan Opera broadcasts
It is as the host of the Metropolitan Opera's broadcasts that Cross will be most remembered. His distinctive voice conveyed the excitement of live performances "from the stage of the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City" for generations of radio listeners. Initially, he broadcast from a seat in "Box 44" at the old Metropolitan Opera HouseMetropolitan Opera House (39th St)
The Metropolitan Opera House was an opera house located at 1411 Broadway in New York City. Opened in 1883 and demolished in 1967, it was the first home of the Metropolitan Opera Company.-History:...
at Broadway and 40th Street. In 1966, he introduced the radio audience to the Met's new home
Metropolitan Opera House (Lincoln Center)
The Metropolitan Opera House is an opera house located on Broadway at Lincoln Square in the Upper West Side of Manhattan in New York City. Part of the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, the theater opened in 1966. It replaced the former Metropolitan Opera House at Broadway and 39th St...
at Lincoln Center as he hosted a special broadcast of the opening night performance from a modern radio booth in the new house.
Myocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction or acute myocardial infarction , commonly known as a heart attack, results from the interruption of blood supply to a part of the heart, causing heart cells to die...
during the Met season of 1974-75. He was succeeded by Peter Allen, who had been his standby announcer.
A native New Yorker, Cross died in New York City where he had lived all his life.
Books
Cross edited several popular editions of opera synopses, published in conjunction with the Met broadcasts. He also co-authored (with David Ewen) Milton Cross' Encyclopedia of the Great Composers and their Music — a set of biographies of 78 composers, published in 1953 by Doubleday & Co.Popular culture
Cross was parodied in Peter SchickelePeter Schickele
Johann Peter Schickele is an American composer, musical educator, and parodist. He is best known for his comedy music albums featuring his music that he presents as music written by the fictional composer P. D. Q...
's album, "P.D.Q. Bach: The Stoned Guest." Will Jordan
Will Jordan
Will Jordan is an American character actor who is best known for his resemblance to—and ability to do uncanny impressions of—television host and newspaper columnist Ed Sullivan.-Career:...
played "Milton Host," the host for the opera quiz, with a voice strikingly similar to Cross'.