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.


Optimism and plenty of white paint Optimism and plenty of white paint

Born on this day in 1865 American socialite and interior decorator Elsie de Wolfe.

on December 20, 2015 at 11:34 AM
L’air attentif passe sans bruit L’air attentif passe sans bruit

On this day in 1881 Hérodiade premiered at the Théâtre de la Monnaie.

on December 19, 2015 at 9:48 AM
The maternal instinct The maternal instinct

Born on this day in 1888 actress Gladys Cooper.  

on December 18, 2015 at 8:01 AM
Laugh, clown, laugh Laugh, clown, laugh

On this day in 1989 The Simpsons premiered on Fox.

on December 17, 2015 at 8:00 AM
Pfft! Pfft!

On this day in 1809 Napoleon Bonaparte was divorced from the Empress Josephine by an act of the French Senate.

on December 16, 2015 at 8:19 AM
The Power of Myth The Power of Myth

On this day in 1939 Gone with the Wind received its premiere at Loew’s Grand Theatre in Atlanta.

on December 15, 2015 at 8:05 AM
Triple threat Triple threat

On this day in 1918 Giacomo Puccini’s Il Trittico premiered at the Met.

on December 14, 2015 at 11:12 AM
The little brown wren The little brown wren

On this day in 1930 actress Bette Davis arrived in Hollywood, under contract to Universal Studios. 

on December 13, 2015 at 8:30 AM
Or would you rather be a mule? Or would you rather be a mule?

Today is the centennial of the birth of pop stylist supreme Frank Sinatra.

on December 12, 2015 at 10:18 AM
A woman is beautiful only when she is gloved A woman is beautiful only when she is gloved

On this day in 1882 Victorien Sardou‘s melodrama Fédora opened in Paris, featuring Sarah Bernhardt in the title role.

on December 11, 2015 at 7:30 AM
Mister Trouble never hangs around Mister Trouble never hangs around

On this day in 1955 Mighty Mouse Playhouse premiered on CBS.

on December 10, 2015 at 7:00 AM
Silver rose Silver rose

Today is the centennial of the birth of soprano Elisabeth Schwarzkopf.

on December 09, 2015 at 7:00 AM
La Ligne Corolle La Ligne Corolle

On this day in 1946 designer Christian Dior and his backer Marcel Boussac founded Maison Dior.

on December 08, 2015 at 7:41 AM
None of your beeswax None of your beeswax

Born on this day in 1761 Madame Tussaud (not pictured.)

on December 07, 2015 at 7:30 AM
Blendship Blendship

On this day in 1939 Cole Porter‘s musical DuBarry was a Lady premiered at the 46th Street Theatre, to run 408 performances.

on December 06, 2015 at 10:37 AM
Regrets, I’ve had a few Regrets, I’ve had a few

On this day in 1890 Les Troyens premiered in Karlsruhe.

on December 05, 2015 at 8:00 AM
Off with the show Off with the show

On this day in 1954 the floperetta Hit the Trail closed at Mark Hellinger Theater after four performances.

on December 04, 2015 at 8:00 AM
Yes, Mother Yes, Mother

On this day in 1993, the first issue of parterre box, the queer opera zine was published.

on December 03, 2015 at 7:50 AM
Venez tous, c’est une fête! Venez tous, c’est une fête!

On this day in 1840 Gaetano Donizetti’s opera La Favorite premiered at the Académie Royale de Musique in Paris.

on December 02, 2015 at 8:24 AM
Working girl’s frug Working girl’s frug

On this day in 1968, the musical Promises Promises opened at the Shubert Theater, to run 1,281 performances.

on December 01, 2015 at 9:38 AM
Call me madame Call me madame

On this day in 1955, the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical Pipe Dream, starring Helen Traubel as the proprietress of a small-town brothel, opened at Shubert Theater to run 245 performances.

on November 30, 2015 at 8:00 AM
Queens’ throat Queens’ throat

Born on this day in 1797 composer Gaetano Donizetti.

on November 29, 2015 at 8:00 AM
Branching out Branching out

Born on this day in 1881 Austrian author Stefan Zweig,

on November 28, 2015 at 8:00 AM
The Abominable Showman The Abominable Showman

Born on this day in 1903 Broadway impresario David Merrick.

on November 27, 2015 at 8:00 AM
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