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.

When women go wrong, men go right after them When women go wrong, men go right after them

On this day in 1928, the melodrama Diamond Lil, written by and starring Mae West, opened at the Royale Theater, to run 176 performances.

on April 09, 2017 at 7:29 AM
‘Happy’ birthday ‘Happy’ birthday

On this day in 1876 Ponchielli’s La Gioconda premiered in Milan. 

on April 08, 2017 at 7:07 AM
Gossip is the art of saying nothing in a way that leaves practically nothing unsaid Gossip is the art of saying nothing in a way that leaves practically nothing unsaid

Born on this day in 1897 newscaster/columnist Walter Winchell.

on April 07, 2017 at 7:08 AM
Love’s a green eyed monster Love’s a green eyed monster

Born on this day in 1928 model, actress and singer Joi Lansing.

on April 06, 2017 at 7:42 AM
Comme une fleur s’ouvre au soleil Comme une fleur s’ouvre au soleil

Happy 87th birthday soprano Mary Costa.

on April 05, 2017 at 7:00 AM
The shadow of it all! The shadow of it all!

On this day in 1859 Meyerbeer’s Dinorah premiered in Paris.

on April 04, 2017 at 9:44 AM
Ligeti, split Ligeti, split

On this day in 1968, Stanley Kubrick‘s classic science-fiction movie 2001: A Space Odyssey premiered at the Uptown Theater in Washington D.C.

on April 02, 2017 at 2:05 PM
Me muero, me sale una hernia! Me muero, me sale una hernia!

Born on this day in 1868 playwright Edmond Rostand.

on April 01, 2017 at 9:34 AM
The sky’s the limit The sky’s the limit

On this day in 1889 the Eiffel Tower officially opened in Paris.

on March 31, 2017 at 10:30 AM
Gotta change my life Gotta change my life

On this day in 1966 Barbra Streisand starred on the Color Me Barbra special on CBS.

on March 30, 2017 at 12:29 PM
Too many clues Too many clues

Born on this day in 1936 composer Richard Rodney Bennett.

on March 29, 2017 at 9:42 AM
Bass of diamonds Bass of diamonds

Happy 75th birthday bass Samuel Ramey.

on March 28, 2017 at 1:47 PM
Art is a barren route, of which glory is the oasis Art is a barren route, of which glory is the oasis

Born on this day in 1822 novelist Henry Murger.

on March 27, 2017 at 7:00 AM
By Krauss By Krauss

Born on this day in 1894 soprano Viorica Ursuleac.

on March 26, 2017 at 12:19 PM
Our dancing daughter Our dancing daughter

Born on this day in 1904 or thereabouts actress Joan Crawford.

on March 25, 2017 at 12:27 PM
Something feverish Something feverish

Born on this day in 1808 soprano Maria Malibran.

on March 24, 2017 at 7:00 AM
Come un bel dì di marzo Come un bel dì di marzo

On this day in 1896 Giordano’s Andrea Chenier premiered in Milan.

on March 23, 2017 at 11:12 AM
Even my first name would be preferable Even my first name would be preferable

On this day in 1962 Harold Rome’s musical I Can Get It For You Wholesale opened on Broadway.

on March 22, 2017 at 7:00 AM
No more doubt or fear No more doubt or fear

Born on this day in 1923 musical director and conductor Mort Lindsey.

on March 21, 2017 at 9:27 AM
A minority may be right, and a majority is always wrong A minority may be right, and a majority is always wrong

Born on this day in 1828 dramatist Henrik Ibsen.

on March 20, 2017 at 9:51 AM
This world’s waited long enough This world’s waited long enough

Happy 70th birthday actress Glenn Close.

on March 19, 2017 at 11:15 AM
It is the strain I heard within my soul It is the strain I heard within my soul

On this day in 1910, The Pipe of Desire by Frederick Shepherd Converse premiered at the Metropolitan Opera.

on March 18, 2017 at 12:02 PM
Evil twin Evil twin

Born on this day in 1906 actress Brigitte Helm.

on March 17, 2017 at 11:14 AM
L’or pur de mes cheveux L’or pur de mes cheveux

On this day in 1894 Massenet’s Thaïs premiered in Paris.

on March 16, 2017 at 9:39 AM