For 43 seasons, he was the main (usually sole) commentator. In the 1930s, he shared some broadcasts with other commentators, such as Deems Taylor, John B. Kennedy and Marcia Davenport, and Robert Woldrop replaced him (for unknown reasons) for the April 3, 1937 broadcast of "Das Rheingold" and the May 15, 1937 broadcast of "Mignon". He also missed two later broadcasts ("Rigoletto" – February 10, 1973 and "Norma" – February 17, 1973) 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. His first Met broadcast was Hansel and Gretel on December 25, 1931 and his last was of "Turandot" on December 28, 1974, 43 years and 3 days later. He was succeeded by Peter Allen, who had been his standby announcer.