WindyCityOperaman

Dan Soda (Windy City Operaman) is a Chicago native whose first visit to opera was at age 17 and Massenet’s Werther with Troyanos and Kraus. Nothing was ever the same. Opera and concert performances, recordings and video are an obsession. He prepares Parterre Box’s daily birthday and anniversary tributes. He also enjoys concerts, live theater and movies.


Special baby Special baby

On this day in 1977 Alban Berg‘s Lulu premiered at the Metropolitan Opera in the as-yet incomplete 2 act version.

on March 18, 2024 at 6:00 AM
Daisy, you’re the one I adore Daisy, you’re the one I adore

On this day in 1951 soprano Victoria de los Ángeles made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Marguerite

on March 17, 2024 at 6:00 AM
Sortite or via sortite Sortite or via sortite

On this day in 1991 soprano Renée Fleming made her Metropolitan Opera stage debut as Countess Almaviva

on March 16, 2024 at 6:00 AM
Ascot opening day Ascot opening day

Two Broadway Premieres:  

on March 15, 2024 at 6:00 AM
Short, sharp shock Short, sharp shock

On this day in 1885 W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan’s The Mikado premiered in London

on March 14, 2024 at 6:00 AM
Dianetic sound Dianetic sound

Happy 81st birthday soprano Julia Migenes

on March 13, 2024 at 6:00 AM
Doge il popol t’acclama! Doge il popol t’acclama!

On this day in 1857 Verdi’s Simon Boccanegra premiered in Venice

on March 12, 2024 at 6:00 AM
Slow and loud and heavy Slow and loud and heavy

On this day in 1985 Giuseppe Sinopoli made his Metropolitan Opera debut conducting Tosca

on March 11, 2024 at 6:00 AM
Point of no returner Point of no returner

Born on this day in 1892 soprano Dame Eva Turner

on March 10, 2024 at 6:00 AM
Beauty is the hardest gift to shelter Beauty is the hardest gift to shelter

Born on this day in 1910 composer Samuel Barber

on March 09, 2024 at 6:00 AM
Rose to the occasion Rose to the occasion

On this day in 1976 mezzo-soprano Tatiana Troyanos made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Octavian

on March 08, 2024 at 6:00 AM
Hey there Dalila Hey there Dalila

Happy 60th birthday mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves

on March 07, 2024 at 6:00 AM
Pretty and witty and bright Pretty and witty and bright

Happy 39th birthday soprano Pretty Yende

on March 06, 2024 at 6:00 AM
Hoppscotch Hoppscotch

On this day in 1959 Alban Berg‘s Wozzeck had its Metropolitan Opera premiere (in English)

on March 05, 2024 at 6:00 AM
An die Offnung zu kommen An die Offnung zu kommen

Born on this day in 1929 conductor Bernard Haitink

on March 04, 2024 at 6:00 AM
Si je t’aime, <em>Carmen</em>, tu m’aimeras? Si je t’aime, <em>Carmen</em>, tu m’aimeras?

On this day in 1875 Bizet‘s Carmen has its disastrous premiere at the Opéra Comique in Paris

on March 03, 2024 at 6:00 AM
Second time as farce Second time as farce

On this day in 1989 Ken Ludwig‘s play Lend Me A Tenor opened on Broadway

on March 02, 2024 at 6:00 AM
O Lucine di quest’anima O Lucine di quest’anima

Happy 100th birthday soprano Lucine Amara

on March 01, 2024 at 6:00 AM
À ce mot seul s’anime et renaît la nature À ce mot seul s’anime et renaît la nature

On this day in 1836 Meyerbeer‘s Les Huguenots premiered in Paris

on February 29, 2024 at 6:00 AM
Ballet of the dolls Ballet of the dolls

On this day in 1910 prima ballerina Anna Pavlova made her debut at the Metropolitan Opera in Coppélia (on a double bill with Werther!)

on February 28, 2024 at 6:00 AM
Morbidezza curiosity Morbidezza curiosity

Born on this day in 1935 soprano Mirella Freni

on February 27, 2024 at 6:00 AM
Having a hunchback Having a hunchback

Born on this day in 1802 author and playwright Victor Hugo

on February 26, 2024 at 6:00 AM
Duke it out Duke it out

On this day in 1948 tenor Giuseppe di Stefano made his Metropolitan Opera debut at the Duke of Mantua

on February 25, 2024 at 6:00 AM
Vassallo della man Vassallo della man

Born on this day in 1934 soprano Renata Scotto

on February 24, 2024 at 6:00 AM
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