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.

Sovvertitor di cuori Sovvertitor di cuori

Born on this day in 1911 baritone Leonard Warren

By on April 21, 2024 at 6:00 AM
38 comments
Ein Laut so klagevoll Ein Laut so klagevoll

On this day in 1967 soprano Elisabeth Grummer made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Elsa

By on April 20, 2024 at 6:00 AM
43 comments
Blow high Blow high

Happy 59th birthday soprano Natalie Dessay

By on April 19, 2024 at 6:00 AM
39 comments
Groundbreakers Groundbreakers

Happy 90th birthday tenor George Shirley

By on April 18, 2024 at 6:00 AM
58 comments
Meine ganze Jugend dafür gehabt Meine ganze Jugend dafür gehabt

Happy 84th birthday soprano/mezzo-soprano Anja Silja

By on April 17, 2024 at 6:00 AM
37 comments
Every little thing she does is magic Every little thing she does is magic

Opera premieres on this day:

By on April 16, 2024 at 6:00 AM
64 comments
Shade intended Shade intended

On this day in 1738 Handel‘s Serse premiered in London

By on April 15, 2024 at 6:00 AM
22 comments
Bonney blue eyes Bonney blue eyes

Happy 68th birthday soprano Barbara Bonney

By on April 14, 2024 at 6:00 AM
129 comments
God is a woman God is a woman

Happy Diva Day 2!

By on April 13, 2024 at 6:00 AM
53 comments
Three queens Three queens

Happy Diva Day!

By on April 12, 2024 at 6:00 AM
76 comments
The girl from Rovigo The girl from Rovigo

On this day in 1975 soprano Katia Ricciarelli made her Met debut as Mimi

By on April 11, 2024 at 6:00 AM
49 comments
Conosco il mestier Conosco il mestier

On this day in 1996 tenor Roberto Alagna made his Met debut as Rodolfo

By on April 10, 2024 at 6:00 AM
51 comments
Dienen theater Dienen theater

On this day in 1992 soprano Deborah Polaski made her Met debut as Kundry

By on April 09, 2024 at 6:00 AM
57 comments
Italian stallion Italian stallion

Born on this day in 1921 tenor Franco Corelli

By on April 08, 2024 at 6:00 AM
31 comments
Breaching the walls Breaching the walls

On this day in 1975 Rossini‘s Siege of Corinth had its American stage premiere at the Metropolitan Opera

By on April 07, 2024 at 6:00 AM
39 comments
Filial piety Filial piety

On this day in 1989 soprano Sumi Jo made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Gilda

By on April 06, 2024 at 6:00 AM
26 comments
Nur du allein Nur du allein

Born on this day in 1908 conductor and director Herbert von Karajan

By on April 05, 2024 at 6:00 AM
93 comments
Eaglen’s wings Eaglen’s wings

Happy 64th birthday soprano Jane Eaglen

By on April 04, 2024 at 6:00 AM
81 comments
Perché chiuso? Perché chiuso?

On this day in 1975 soprano Magda Olivero made her historic, belated Metropolitan Opera debut as Tosca

By on April 03, 2024 at 6:00 AM
51 comments
Mes longs cheveux descendent Mes longs cheveux descendent

On this day in 1977 tenor Guy Chauvet made his Metropolitan Opera debut as Samson

By on April 02, 2024 at 6:00 AM
142 comments
Tis hatched and shall be so Tis hatched and shall be so

Happy April Fool’s Day!

By on April 01, 2024 at 6:00 AM
65 comments
Appalachian spring Appalachian spring

On this day in 1999 the Metropolitan Opera main stage premiere of Floyd‘s Susannah.

By on March 31, 2024 at 6:00 AM
105 comments
Quel che compro io vendo Quel che compro io vendo

On this day in 1970 tenor Nico Castel made his Metropolitan Opera debut as Don Basilo in Le nozze di Figaro

By on March 30, 2024 at 6:00 AM
41 comments
Brillez toujours Brillez toujours

On this day in 1879 Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin premiered in Moscow

By on March 29, 2024 at 6:00 AM
28 comments