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.

We’ll have a gay old time We’ll have a gay old time

Born on this day in 1685 composer John Gay.

on June 30, 2016 at 8:56 AM
Knee deep in flowers we’ll stray Knee deep in flowers we’ll stray

On this day in 1968 “Tip-Toe Thru’ The Tulips With Me” sung by Tiny Tim peaked at #17.

on June 29, 2016 at 11:25 AM
Après lui le déluge Après lui le déluge

On this day in 1841 Adophe Adam‘s ballet Giselle premiered in Paris.

on June 28, 2016 at 4:07 PM
Its a great day for tenors Its a great day for tenors

Happy Pride! 

on June 26, 2016 at 10:34 AM
Inside Ott Inside Ott

Happy 29th birthday baritone Jarrett Ott.

on June 25, 2016 at 8:00 AM
Single entendre Single entendre

n this day in 1970 the movie Myra Breckinridge premiered.

on June 24, 2016 at 9:46 AM
Choreography is writing on your feet Choreography is writing on your feet

Born on this day in 1927 dancer and choreographer Bob Fosse.

on June 23, 2016 at 10:26 AM
Citizen journalist Citizen journalist

Happy birthday to critic Anne Midgette.

on June 22, 2016 at 10:49 AM
Master suite Master suite

On this day in 1868 Richard Wagner‘s Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg premiered in Munich.

on June 21, 2016 at 8:00 AM
Solstice Solstice

Happy first day of summer!

on June 20, 2016 at 10:24 AM
Darling lily Darling lily

On this day in 1825 Gioacchino Rossini’s Il viaggio a Reims, ossia L’albergo del giglio d’oro premiered at the Théâtre Italien, Paris.

on June 19, 2016 at 11:09 AM
Eva im Paradies Eva im Paradies

Happy 73rd birthday soprano Eva Marton!

on June 18, 2016 at 11:28 AM
Natural sounds Natural sounds

On this day in 1967 Barbra Streisand‘s A Happening in Central Park, uh, happened in New York.

on June 17, 2016 at 8:00 AM
Le Jeune-homme et la Liberté Le Jeune-homme et la Liberté

On this day in 1961 premier danseur Rudolf Nurevey defected from the (then) Soviet Union to the west via Paris.

on June 16, 2016 at 11:38 AM
The freeze ray needs work The freeze ray needs work

Happy 43rd birthday actor Neil Patrick Harris.

on June 15, 2016 at 9:06 AM
Song o’ my heart Song o’ my heart

Born on this day in 1884 tenor John McCormack.

on June 14, 2016 at 11:33 AM
Black and white Black and white

On this day in 1855 Verdi’s Les vêpres siciliennes premiered in Paris.

on June 13, 2016 at 9:55 AM
Restart spreading the news Restart spreading the news

Happy Birthday, happy birthday, New York, New York!

on June 12, 2016 at 2:12 PM
Miss Show Business Miss Show Business

On this day in 1922 singer, actress and vaudevillian Judy Garland was born.

on June 10, 2016 at 3:46 PM
Canard de la semaine Canard de la semaine

Born on this day in 1934 film personality Donald Duck..

on June 09, 2016 at 10:40 AM
Will wonders never cease? Will wonders never cease?

On this day in 1786 commercially made ice cream was first advertised in the United States.

on June 08, 2016 at 8:00 AM
Bobby come on over for dinner Bobby come on over for dinner

Happy 53rd birthday tenor Roberto Alagna

on June 07, 2016 at 8:40 AM
Oh, brilliant more than fire Oh, brilliant more than fire

Today the world of opera mourns the death of soprano and pedagogue Phyllis Curtin, who passed away yesterday at the age of 94.

on June 06, 2016 at 9:32 AM
Split decision Split decision

On this day in 1876 bananas were introduced to the United States at the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia.

on June 05, 2016 at 11:21 AM