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.

Darkness at noon Darkness at noon

Happy Solar Eclipse!

By on August 21, 2017 at 4:53 AM
25 comments
“When you’re climbing Mount Everest, nothing is easy” “When you’re climbing Mount Everest, nothing is easy”

Born on this day in 1918 (but you didn’t hear that from me) author Jacqueline Susann.

By on August 20, 2017 at 12:07 PM
4 comments
“Try not to bump into the furniture” “Try not to bump into the furniture”

Born on this day in 1893 actor and director Alfred Lunt.

By on August 19, 2017 at 8:57 AM
4 comments
“I have bursts of being a lady, but it doesn’t last long” “I have bursts of being a lady, but it doesn’t last long”

Born on this day in 1920 actress Shelley Winters..

By on August 18, 2017 at 9:18 AM
1 comment
Action speaks louder than words Action speaks louder than words

Born on this day in 1893 actress and playwright Mae West.

By on August 17, 2017 at 11:09 AM
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“The truer challenge, the deeper obligation, begins after the the camera stops” “The truer challenge, the deeper obligation, begins after the the camera stops”

Happy 89th birthday actress Ann Blyth.

By on August 16, 2017 at 2:47 PM
5 comments
Peace with your cries of useless lament! Peace with your cries of useless lament!

Born on this day in 1936 soprano Rita Shane.

By on August 15, 2017 at 1:46 PM
28 comments
Nunzio di gioia è il bel sorriso Nunzio di gioia è il bel sorriso

Happy 57th birthday soprano Cecilia Gasdia.

By on August 14, 2017 at 7:44 AM
9 comments
Music in the air Music in the air

Happy 69th birthday soprano Kathleen Battle

By on August 13, 2017 at 12:33 PM
4 comments
Stranger off a train Stranger off a train

Born on this day in 1888 actress Marion Lorne.

By on August 12, 2017 at 11:27 AM
10 comments
Women are like snowflakes Women are like snowflakes

Happy 92nd birthday actress Arlene Dahl.

By on August 11, 2017 at 7:00 AM
1 comment
“Being a motion picture actress is the pitch of ecstasy” “Being a motion picture actress is the pitch of ecstasy”

>Born on this day in 1902 actress Norma Shearer.

By on August 10, 2017 at 7:00 AM
1 comment
Papa can you hear me? Papa can you hear me?

Happy 58th birthday soprano Maria Guleghina.

By on August 09, 2017 at 10:35 AM
10 comments
Post-graduate Post-graduate

Happy 80th birthday actor Dustin Hoffman.

By on August 08, 2017 at 12:51 PM
1 comment
Exotica Exotica

Born on this day in 1876 dancer and spy Margaretha Geertruida ‘Margreet’ Zelle MacLeod aka Mata Hari.

By on August 07, 2017 at 10:10 AM
15 comments
Light the candles Light the candles

Born on this day in 1911 actress Lucille Ball. 

By on August 06, 2017 at 2:31 PM
3 comments
What faith can do What faith can do

Happy 60th birthday actress Faith Prince.

By on August 05, 2017 at 10:26 AM
16 comments
Her and the man in the moon Her and the man in the moon

Born on this day in 1904 singer and actress Helen Kane.

By on August 04, 2017 at 1:57 PM
12 comments
Beauty comes from the inside out Beauty comes from the inside out

Born on this day in 1908 actress Dolores del Rio

By on August 03, 2017 at 10:59 AM
43 comments
Fashions fade, style is eternal Fashions fade, style is eternal

Born on this day in 1936 designer Yves Saint-Laurent.

By on August 01, 2017 at 10:27 AM
17 comments
Power couple Power couple

On this day in 1954 TV host, composer and comedian Steve Allen married actress Jayne Meadows.

By on July 31, 2017 at 7:00 AM
7 comments
Deep in my heart, dear Deep in my heart, dear

Born on this day in 1887 composer Sigmund Romberg.

By on July 29, 2017 at 11:10 AM
1 comment
Consecrating Consecrating

On this day in 1882 Wagner’s Parsifal premiered in Bayreuth.

By on July 28, 2017 at 9:17 AM
11 comments
Scale model Scale model

Happy 65th birthday soprano Carol Vaness.

By on July 27, 2017 at 7:00 AM
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