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.

“The one thing that matters is the effort” “The one thing that matters is the effort”

Born on this day in 1900 writer Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.

By on June 29, 2017 at 8:00 AM
10 comments
“I base most of my fashion taste on what doesn’t itch” “I base most of my fashion taste on what doesn’t itch”

On this day in 1946 actress Gilda Radner was born.

By on June 28, 2017 at 11:18 AM
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Reine par la beauté! Reine par la beauté!

Born on this day in 1932 soprano Anna Moffo.

By on June 27, 2017 at 8:00 AM
74 comments
“My success is going to your head!” “My success is going to your head!”

Born on this day in 1922 actress Eleanor Parker.

By on June 26, 2017 at 7:55 AM
9 comments
Too darn Ott Too darn Ott

Happy 30th birthday baritone Jarrett Ott.

By on June 25, 2017 at 8:00 AM
5 comments
The mogul with the curls The mogul with the curls

On this day in 1916, actress Mary Pickford signed a contract with Adolph Zukor of Famous Players Films Company guaranteeing her $1,000,000.

By on June 24, 2017 at 10:43 AM
11 comments
“My life is an open pamphlet” “My life is an open pamphlet”

Born on this day in 1927 dancer and choreographer Bob Fosse.

By on June 23, 2017 at 9:44 AM
11 comments
“I want to feel my life while I’m in it” “I want to feel my life while I’m in it”

Happy 68th birthday actress Meryl Streep.

By on June 22, 2017 at 7:27 AM
27 comments
“Publicity can be terrible” “Publicity can be terrible”

Born on this day 1921 voluptuous actress Jane Russell.

By on June 21, 2017 at 10:43 AM
11 comments
Baby, you can can-can too Baby, you can can-can too

Born on this day in 1819 composer Jacques Offenbach.

By on June 20, 2017 at 8:00 AM
28 comments
À bout de souffle À bout de souffle

Born on this day in 1919 actor Louis Jourdan.

By on June 19, 2017 at 8:00 AM
10 comments
The Iron Butterfly The Iron Butterfly

Born on this day in 1903 actress and singer Jeanette MacDonald.

By on June 18, 2017 at 11:28 AM
4 comments
“Myths are a waste of time” “Myths are a waste of time”

On this day in 1967 Barbra Streisand‘s concert “A Happening in Central Park” happened in Central Park.

By on June 17, 2017 at 10:11 AM
5 comments
“You can disagree without being disagreeable” “You can disagree without being disagreeable”

On this day in 1994 Ruth Bader Ginsburg was sworn in as a US Supreme Court Justice.

By on June 15, 2017 at 8:43 AM
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“Let them hate me, so long as they fear me” “Let them hate me, so long as they fear me”

Happy 71st birthday President Donald Trump.

By on June 14, 2017 at 1:54 PM
22 comments
Nobody knows where it really ends Nobody knows where it really ends

On this day in 1956, the floperetta Shangri-La opened at the Winter Garden Theatre, to run a whopping 21 performances.

By on June 13, 2017 at 11:17 AM
5 comments
“Was this well done of your lady?” “Was this well done of your lady?”

On this day in 1963 Cleopatra premiered at New York’s Rivoli Theatre. 

By on June 12, 2017 at 8:58 AM
7 comments
Miss Show Business Miss Show Business

Born on this day in 1922 singer, actress and vaudevillian Judy Garland.

By on June 10, 2017 at 8:47 AM
2 comments
Attending the op’ry, my box would be a bust Attending the op’ry, my box would be a bust

Born on this day in 1891 composer Cole Porter.

By on June 09, 2017 at 9:26 AM
1 comment
A little story that should make you cry A little story that should make you cry

Born on this day in 1921 actress Alexis Smith.

By on June 08, 2017 at 6:59 AM
14 comments
Solitude gives birth to the original in us Solitude gives birth to the original in us

Born on this day in 1875 writer Thomas Mann.

By on June 06, 2017 at 10:39 AM
1 comment
“I can’t remember when I didn’t want to be an actress” “I can’t remember when I didn’t want to be an actress”

Born on this day in 1912 singer and Alice Faye.

By on June 05, 2017 at 11:13 AM
1 comment
The kid stays in the picture The kid stays in the picture

Happy 51st birthday mezzo-soprano Cecilia Bartoli.

By on June 04, 2017 at 8:00 AM
1 comment
And so remember this, life is no abyss And so remember this, life is no abyss

Born on this day in 1904 tenor Jan Peerce.

By on June 03, 2017 at 9:00 AM
26 comments