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.


I’ll cheer each toot I’ll cheer each toot

On this day in 1791 Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte premiered in Vienna

on September 30, 2023 at 6:00 AM
Son io il poeta, essa la poesia Son io il poeta, essa la poesia

On this day in 1965 soprano Mirella Freni and tenor Gianni Raimondi made their Metropolitan Opera debuts in La bohème.

on September 29, 2023 at 6:00 AM
Non chiedo in bontà di ritirarmi Non chiedo in bontà di ritirarmi

On this day in 1968 tenor Placido Domingo made his Metropolitan Opera debut as Maurizio in Adriana Lecouvreur

on September 28, 2023 at 6:00 AM
Divas and scholars Divas and scholars
on September 27, 2023 at 6:00 AM
Wie stark ist nicht dein Zauberton Wie stark ist nicht dein Zauberton

Born on this day in 1930 tenor Fritz Wunderlich 

on September 26, 2023 at 6:00 AM
The lady with the repertoire The lady with the repertoire

Happy 82nd birthday soprano Anna Tomowa-Sintow.

on September 22, 2023 at 9:31 AM
The silky-toned Miss Verrett The silky-toned Miss Verrett

On this day in 1968 mezzo-soprano Shirley Verrett made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Carmen.

on September 21, 2023 at 6:00 AM
Fifty percent Fifty percent

Happy 88th birthday actress Sophia Loren.

on September 20, 2023 at 6:00 AM
“Being young isn’t about age” “Being young isn’t about age”

Happy 74th birthday to supermodel, actress and singer Twiggy.

on September 19, 2023 at 7:27 AM
Lady willpower Lady willpower

Happy 52nd birthday soprano Anna Netrebko.

on September 18, 2023 at 9:25 AM
“Are you getting paid?” “Are you getting paid?”

Born on this day in 1925 actress and songstress Dorothy Loudon.

on September 17, 2023 at 8:33 AM
Sacred flame Sacred flame

Left this world on this day 46 years ago in Paris.

on September 16, 2023 at 8:12 AM
Transfiguration Transfiguration

Born on this day in 1945 soprano Jessye Norman.

on September 15, 2023 at 7:16 AM
I’ll face the unknown I’ll face the unknown

Happy 79th birthday to triple threat Joey Heatherton.

on September 14, 2023 at 4:42 AM
More trouble with zippers More trouble with zippers

Born on this day in 1903 actress Claudette Colbert.

on September 13, 2023 at 6:04 AM
Fatal beauty Fatal beauty

Born on this day in 1938 mezzo-soprano Tatiana Troyanos.

on September 12, 2023 at 6:00 AM
“I am like a bird!” “I am like a bird!”

On this day in 1850 Swedish soprano Jenny Lind made her American debut at the Castle Garden Theatre in New York City.

on September 11, 2023 at 5:00 AM
Carnival knowledge Carnival knowledge

On this day in 1838 Benvenuto Cellini premiered in Paris.

on September 10, 2023 at 5:00 AM
“Great day in the morning!” “Great day in the morning!”

Born on this day in 1899 character actor Neil Hamilton.

on September 09, 2023 at 4:00 AM
We all go a little mad sometimes We all go a little mad sometimes

On this day in 1960 Alfred Hitchcock‘s Psycho was released nationwide.

on September 08, 2023 at 4:00 AM
Ricordo d’amor Ricordo d’amor

Happy 58th birthday soprano Angela Gheorghiu.

on September 07, 2023 at 4:45 AM
Bold Bold

Happy 86h birthday to actress, comedian and singer Jo Anne Worley.

on September 06, 2023 at 6:00 AM
Blonde Venus Blonde Venus

Happy 63rd birthday to soprano Karita Mattila.

on September 05, 2023 at 4:30 AM
Start all over again Start all over again

On this day in 1936, RKO Radio Pictures released Swing Time.

on September 04, 2023 at 4:21 AM
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