Milton Cross

Milton Cross (1897-1975) was a radio announcer and commentator, best known for his tenure hosting the Metropolitan Opera radio broadcasts, from 1931 until his death in 1975. He usually transitioned from providing color background to the actual opera by noting the house lights dimming and "the great gold curtain going up." He authored or co-authored several books pertaining to opera.

Outside of the Met, Cross served as "conductor" (host) on the children's series Coast to Coast on a Bus and announced on the quiz show Information Please and a stint on This Is Your FBI. Inevitably, he narrated a 1950 recording of Peter and the Wolf. His dignified introductions were sometimes parodied, as in P.D.Q. Bach's album The Stoned Guest (with "Milton Host").