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.

A star is born A star is born

Happy 88th birthday soprano Antonietta Stella.

By on March 15, 2017 at 9:31 AM
49 comments
Growing up Grimgerde Growing up Grimgerde

Happy 88th birthday mezzo-soprano Rosalind Elias.

By on March 13, 2017 at 4:07 PM
52 comments
Doge day afternoon Doge day afternoon

On this day in 1857 Verdi’s Simon Boccanegra premiered in Venice.

By on March 12, 2017 at 11:17 AM
24 comments
Based on a true story Based on a true story

Born on this day in 1544 poet and playright Torquato Tasso.

By on March 11, 2017 at 11:33 AM
3 comments
A circumference of silence A circumference of silence

Born on this day in 1910 composer Samuel Barber.

By on March 09, 2017 at 2:45 PM
55 comments
Verse l’ivresse et l’oubli dans mon coeur! Verse l’ivresse et l’oubli dans mon coeur!

Born on this day in 1825 librettist and playwright Jules Barbier.

By on March 08, 2017 at 11:58 AM
11 comments
Operette Operette

Born on this day in 1822 composer Victor Massé.

By on March 07, 2017 at 7:00 AM
4 comments
Sleep, my love Sleep, my love

On this day in 1831 Vincenzo Bellini‘s La Sonnambula premiered in Milan.

By on March 06, 2017 at 8:41 AM
2 comments
Never brought to mind Never brought to mind

Born on this day in 1748 composer William Shield.

By on March 05, 2017 at 8:43 AM
26 comments
Mistress of improvisation Mistress of improvisation

On this day in 1943, actress Greer Garson delivered what remains the longest Academy Awards acceptance speech in history

By on March 04, 2017 at 11:16 AM
41 comments
Somewhere out there is a lady who I think will never be a nun Somewhere out there is a lady who I think will never be a nun

On this day in 1965, The Sound of Music premiered at the Rivoli Theater in New York City.

By on March 02, 2017 at 7:43 AM
42 comments
I never wanted to set the world on fire I never wanted to set the world on fire

Born on this day in 1917 songstress Dinah Shore.

By on March 01, 2017 at 8:10 AM
Reply
She can pull all the stops out She can pull all the stops out

On this day in 1862 Gounod’s La Reine de Saba premiered in Paris.

By on February 28, 2017 at 8:06 AM
30 comments
A young me A young me

Happy 82nd birthday soprano Mirella Freni.

By on February 27, 2017 at 7:00 AM
3 comments
“I have always been extremely rude, and got exactly what I wanted” “I have always been extremely rude, and got exactly what I wanted”

Born on this day in 1909 or thereabouts TV chef Fanny Cradock.

By on February 26, 2017 at 6:19 AM
1 comment
Looking daggers Looking daggers

On this day in 1911 Victor Herbert‘s opera Natoma premiered in Philadelphia.

By on February 25, 2017 at 8:14 AM
9 comments
La mia voce tuonerà La mia voce tuonerà

Happy 83rd birthday soprano Renata Scotto.

By on February 24, 2017 at 8:26 AM
20 comments
Reine par l’amour de ses sujets heureux! Reine par l’amour de ses sujets heureux!

Born on this day in 1927 soprano Régine Crespin.

By on February 23, 2017 at 7:00 AM
86 comments
Now the milkman’s on his way Now the milkman’s on his way

Born on this day in 1896 composer Nacio Herb Brown.

By on February 22, 2017 at 6:45 AM
7 comments
I take the longest to get ready of anyone I take the longest to get ready of anyone

Born on this day in 1934 actress Rue McClanahan.

By on February 21, 2017 at 7:00 AM
12 comments
If you don’t have it but you think you have it, then you have it If you don’t have it but you think you have it, then you have it

Born on this day in 1916 comedian Jackie Gleason.

By on February 20, 2017 at 5:49 AM
Reply
“Eurotrash” * “Eurotrash” *

Born on this day in 1932 director and designer Jean-Pierre Ponnelle.

By on February 19, 2017 at 7:55 AM
18 comments
A very successful mouseburger A very successful mouseburger

Born on this day in 1922 author and editor Helen Gurley Brown.

By on February 18, 2017 at 7:00 AM
Reply
Born in the saddle Born in the saddle

Born on this day in 1909 soprano Marjorie Lawrence.

By on February 17, 2017 at 10:32 AM
17 comments