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.

London calling London calling

Born on this day in 1919 bass-baritone George London

By on May 05, 2024 at 6:00 AM
61 comments
Hört der Mutter Schwur Hört der Mutter Schwur

Born on this day in 1930 soprano Roberta Peters

By on May 04, 2024 at 6:00 AM
36 comments
Angel on my shoulder Angel on my shoulder

Happy 40th birthday soprano Angel Blue

By on May 03, 2024 at 6:00 AM
46 comments
Puppet maestro Puppet maestro

Conductor Valery Gergiyev turns 71

By on May 02, 2024 at 6:00 AM
86 comments
Pearl anniversary Pearl anniversary

On this day mezzo-soprano Christa Ludwig celebrated her 30th anniversary Metropolitan Opera performance as Fricka

By on May 01, 2024 at 6:00 AM
100 comments
Ne me touchez pas! Ne me touchez pas!

On this day in 1902 Debussy‘s Pelléas et Mélisande premiered in Paris

By on April 30, 2024 at 6:00 AM
52 comments
Conducting affairs Conducting affairs

Maestro day

By on April 29, 2024 at 6:00 AM
49 comments
Ship happens Ship happens

On this day in 1865 Meyerbeer‘s L’Africaine premiered in Paris

By on April 28, 2024 at 6:00 AM
37 comments
Temp’ring extremeties with extreme sweet Temp’ring extremeties with extreme sweet

Happy 81st birthday soprano Judith Blegen

By on April 27, 2024 at 6:00 AM
71 comments
In comes company In comes company

On this day in 2007 the Metropolitan Opera Debut of tenor Lawrence Brownlee as Almaviva

By on April 26, 2024 at 6:00 AM
88 comments
Gong with the wind Gong with the wind

On this day in 1926 Puccini‘s opera Turandot premiered in Milan

By on April 25, 2024 at 6:00 AM
61 comments
The greatest star The greatest star

Happy 82nd birthday Barbra Streisand

By on April 24, 2024 at 6:00 AM
77 comments
Put to pasture Put to pasture

On this day in 1775 Mozart‘s Il re pastore premiered in Salzburg

By on April 23, 2024 at 6:00 AM
21 comments
Godi, Fiorenza, poi che se’ sì grande Godi, Fiorenza, poi che se’ sì grande

Happy 89th birthday mezzo-soprano Fiorenza Cossotto

By on April 22, 2024 at 6:00 AM
57 comments
Sovvertitor di cuori Sovvertitor di cuori

Born on this day in 1911 baritone Leonard Warren

By on April 21, 2024 at 6:00 AM
38 comments
Ein Laut so klagevoll Ein Laut so klagevoll

On this day in 1967 soprano Elisabeth Grummer made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Elsa

By on April 20, 2024 at 6:00 AM
43 comments
Blow high Blow high

Happy 59th birthday soprano Natalie Dessay

By on April 19, 2024 at 6:00 AM
39 comments
Groundbreakers Groundbreakers

Happy 90th birthday tenor George Shirley

By on April 18, 2024 at 6:00 AM
58 comments
Meine ganze Jugend dafür gehabt Meine ganze Jugend dafür gehabt

Happy 84th birthday soprano/mezzo-soprano Anja Silja

By on April 17, 2024 at 6:00 AM
37 comments
Every little thing she does is magic Every little thing she does is magic

Opera premieres on this day:

By on April 16, 2024 at 6:00 AM
61 comments
Shade intended Shade intended

On this day in 1738 Handel‘s Serse premiered in London

By on April 15, 2024 at 6:00 AM
22 comments
Bonney blue eyes Bonney blue eyes

Happy 68th birthday soprano Barbara Bonney

By on April 14, 2024 at 6:00 AM
129 comments
God is a woman God is a woman

Happy Diva Day 2!

By on April 13, 2024 at 6:00 AM
53 comments
Three queens Three queens

Happy Diva Day!

By on April 12, 2024 at 6:00 AM
76 comments