WHAT A DRAG

Opera and drag go together like peanut butter and jelly, like Schlitz and Cheetos.

We've got Trouser Roles. We've got Philip Langridge as the Witch in the Met's recent Hansel and Gretel. We've got La Cieca at Parterre Box.

And we've got Madame Vera Galupe-Borszkh, the Traumatic Soprano.

The semi-retired founder of all-male drag opera troupe La Gran Scena performed recently in May in NYC. She was in Cleveland four years ago performing a "One Night Stand"--perhaps you saw it. (Dang it all for not being born yet and missing it!)

The Advocate recently spoke with Ira Siff, Madame's alter ego. He has "become a player in the legitmate operatic scene," (Drag opera isn't legit?!?!) directing operas and becoming a commentator for the Met's radio broadcasts.

Some of my favorite quotes:

"I switched teams to Callas very fast!"

"I now sort of feel like the Jesus Christ of opera, going around and spreading the gospel to 10 million people a week on the radio."

"I used to sing soprano in the basement of my parents' home in Brooklyn"

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Click here to hear and see the dame in action.