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.


Le Jeune-homme et la Liberté Le Jeune-homme et la Liberté

On this day in 1961 premier danseur Rudolf Nurevey defected from the (then) Soviet Union to the west via Paris.

on June 16, 2016 at 11:38 AM
The freeze ray needs work The freeze ray needs work

Happy 43rd birthday actor Neil Patrick Harris.

on June 15, 2016 at 9:06 AM
Song o’ my heart Song o’ my heart

Born on this day in 1884 tenor John McCormack.

on June 14, 2016 at 11:33 AM
Black and white Black and white

On this day in 1855 Verdi’s Les vêpres siciliennes premiered in Paris.

on June 13, 2016 at 9:55 AM
Restart spreading the news Restart spreading the news

Happy Birthday, happy birthday, New York, New York!

on June 12, 2016 at 2:12 PM
Miss Show Business Miss Show Business

On this day in 1922 singer, actress and vaudevillian Judy Garland was born.

on June 10, 2016 at 3:46 PM
Canard de la semaine Canard de la semaine

Born on this day in 1934 film personality Donald Duck..

on June 09, 2016 at 10:40 AM
Will wonders never cease? Will wonders never cease?

On this day in 1786 commercially made ice cream was first advertised in the United States.

on June 08, 2016 at 8:00 AM
Bobby come on over for dinner Bobby come on over for dinner

Happy 53rd birthday tenor Roberto Alagna

on June 07, 2016 at 8:40 AM
Oh, brilliant more than fire Oh, brilliant more than fire

Today the world of opera mourns the death of soprano and pedagogue Phyllis Curtin, who passed away yesterday at the age of 94.

on June 06, 2016 at 9:32 AM
Split decision Split decision

On this day in 1876 bananas were introduced to the United States at the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia.

on June 05, 2016 at 11:21 AM
Sul capo mio le chiome sento drizzarsi ancor! Sul capo mio le chiome sento drizzarsi ancor!

Born on this day in 1920 mezzo-soprano Fedora Barbieri.

on June 04, 2016 at 11:46 AM
In a weak moment I have written a book In a weak moment I have written a book

On this day in 1937 Margaret Mitchell won the Pulitzer Prize for Gone With the Wind.

on June 03, 2016 at 8:36 AM
“I’ve had a very checkered career” “I’ve had a very checkered career”

Happy 79th birthday actress Sally Kellerman.

on June 02, 2016 at 8:00 AM
Coast to coast with our favorite host Coast to coast with our favorite host

On this day in 1971 Ed Sullivan broadcast his final TV show on CBS.

on June 01, 2016 at 9:00 AM
“I never miss a Liv Ullmann musical!” “I never miss a Liv Ullmann musical!”

On this day in 1979 the musical I Remember Mama opened at the Majestic Theater, to run 108 performances.

on May 31, 2016 at 8:31 AM
There is no sin but ignorance There is no sin but ignorance

On this day in 1593 dramatist Christopher Marlowe was reportedly stabbed to death…

on May 30, 2016 at 8:00 AM
Every other inch a lady Every other inch a lady

Born on this day in 1894 actress and comedian Beatrice Lillie. 

on May 29, 2016 at 11:31 AM
Magic mike Magic mike

Born on this day in 1924 opera record and video producer John Culshaw.

on May 28, 2016 at 12:22 PM
“A man who limits his interests limits his life” “A man who limits his interests limits his life”

Born on this day 1911 actor Vincent Price.

on May 27, 2016 at 11:34 AM
Ich war so hochdramatisch Ich war so hochdramatisch

Happy 95th or perhaps 99th birthday soprano Inge Borkh.

on May 26, 2016 at 8:00 AM
“Demain, je ne serai pour toi plus rien qu’un nom!” “Demain, je ne serai pour toi plus rien qu’un nom!”

Born on this day in 1929 (more or less) soprano Beverly Sills.

on May 25, 2016 at 8:56 AM
It’s today! It’s today!

On this day in 1966 Jerry Herman‘s Mame opened on at the Winter Garden Theatre, to run 1508 performances.

on May 24, 2016 at 8:29 AM
Un walzer Un walzer

On this day in 1963 at the 16th Cannes Film Festival, The Leopard directed by Luchino Visconti won the Palme d’Or.

on May 23, 2016 at 8:58 AM
WordPress › Error

There has been a critical error on this website.

Learn more about troubleshooting WordPress.