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.
On this day in 1974 the Metropolitan Opera opened its season with a performance perhaps most notable for who was not present: Montserrat Caballé canceled her own opening night.
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On this day in 1986, the Metropolitan Opera opened its season with a new production of Wagner’s Die Walküre.
On this day in 1968 mezzo-soprano Shirley Verrett made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Carmen.
Happy 66th birthday to actor, singer and babe Rex Smith.
Happy birthday to soprano Anna Netrebko, who turns 50 today.
Born on this day in 1925 Broadway diva Dorothy Loudon.
Left this world on this day 44 years ago in Paris.
Born on this day in 1933 actress Zoe Caldwell.
Born on this day in 1890 designer Elsa Schiaparelli.
Born on this day in 1924 actress Sylvia Miles.
Born on this day in 1910 actor and director Jean-Louis Barrault.
On this day in 1949 Mae West headlined a revival of her most famous play, Diamond Lil, which she first played more than 20 years earlier.
Happy 61st birthday soprano Karita Mattila.
Born on this day in 1910 singer, actress and arts advocate Kitty Carlisle Hart.
Happy 93rd birthday actor and dreamboat George Maharis.
On this day in 1056 Byzantine Empress Theodora died childless, thus ending the Macedonian dynasty.
Born on this day in 1906 actress Joan Blondell.
Born on this day in 1930 Ben Gazzara.
Born on this day in 1916 actress, comedian and singer Martha Raye.
Born on this day in 1909 actress, dancer and singer Ruby Keeler.
Happy 63rd birthday actor Steve Guttenberg.
Happy 67th birthday to the ineffable actor, screenwriter, playwright, female impersonator and memoirist Charles Busch.
