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.

She could drive a person crazy She could drive a person crazy

Born on this day in 1925 actress and chanteuse Dorothy Loudon.

on September 17, 2016 at 2:38 PM
My favorite blonde My favorite blonde

Happy 40h birthday mezzo-soprano Elina Garanca

on September 16, 2016 at 11:29 AM
Ageless Ageless

Happy 71st birthday soprano Jessye Norman.

on September 15, 2016 at 9:06 AM
There is for such a case no eligible absolute of the wrong There is for such a case no eligible absolute of the wrong

On this day in 1954 Britten’s Turn of the Screw premiered in Venice. 

on September 14, 2016 at 8:00 AM
“The forest creatures taught me how to sing” “The forest creatures taught me how to sing”

Born on this day in 1922 “The Peruvian Songbird,” Yma Sumac.

on September 13, 2016 at 12:26 PM
Alles Vergängliche ist nur ein Gleichnis Alles Vergängliche ist nur ein Gleichnis

On this day in 1910 the premiere performance of Gustav Mahler‘s Symphony No. 8 in Munich featured a chorus of 852 singers and an orchestra of 171 players.

on September 12, 2016 at 8:00 AM
Lovely hour Lovely hour

On this day in 1850 “Swedish Nightingale” Jenny Lind gave her first United States concert.

on September 11, 2016 at 12:17 PM
I’m nacred I’m nacred

On this day in 1868 Bizet’s Les Pêcheurs de perles premiered in Paris.

on September 10, 2016 at 12:13 PM
Happy birthdays are all alike Happy birthdays are all alike

Born on this day in 1828 writer Lev Nikolayevich “Leo” Tolstoy.

on September 09, 2016 at 1:45 PM
Honky Tonk Angel Honky Tonk Angel

Born on this day in 1932 singer Patsy Cline.

on September 08, 2016 at 10:39 AM
He’s so Boulezian He’s so Boulezian

Happy birthday critic and lecturer Mark Berry.

on September 06, 2016 at 9:00 AM
on September 05, 2016 at 12:46 PM
Pape idol Pape idol

Happy 52nd birthday bass René Pape.

on September 04, 2016 at 8:00 AM
Finale ultimo Finale ultimo

On this day in 1967 the TV game show What’s My Line? broadcast its final episode, after a 17 year run on CBS.

on September 03, 2016 at 8:00 AM
Dancing lady Dancing lady

Happy 97th birthday dancer and choreographer Marge Champion.

on September 02, 2016 at 12:18 PM
A man of widespread fame A man of widespread fame

Born on this day in 1751 dramatist Emanuel Schikaneder.

on September 01, 2016 at 10:59 AM
Immobile Immobile

On this day in 1829 Rossini’s Guillaume Tell premiered in Paris.

on August 31, 2016 at 12:53 PM
Not since Nebuchadnezzar’s hanging garden went to pot Not since Nebuchadnezzar’s hanging garden went to pot

Born on this day in 1922 soprano / mezzo-soprano / opera director Regina Resnik

on August 30, 2016 at 11:06 AM
The carat or the stick The carat or the stick

Happy 61st birthday avant-garde soprano, composer, pianist, organist, performance artist and painter Diamanda Galás.

on August 29, 2016 at 10:22 AM
Swan knight, how I love you, my dear old swan knight! Swan knight, how I love you, my dear old swan knight!

On this day in 1850 Wagner’s Lohengrin premiered at the Staatskapelle Weimar.

on August 28, 2016 at 11:14 AM
I’ve always felt like a kid I’ve always felt like a kid

Happy 64th birthday actor, producer and comedian Paul Reubens, aka “Pee-wee Herman.”

on August 27, 2016 at 11:15 AM
Nous voulons explorer la bonté contrée énorme où tout se tait Nous voulons explorer la bonté contrée énorme où tout se tait

Born on this day in 1880 poet Guillaume Apollinaire

on August 26, 2016 at 11:07 AM
Technique is communication Technique is communication

Born on this day in 1918 composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein.

on August 25, 2016 at 8:00 AM
I couldn’t kill a fly I couldn’t kill a fly

Happy 86th or 87th birthday actress Vera Miles.

on August 24, 2016 at 7:30 AM