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.


Freedom fighter Freedom fighter

On this day in 1989 “actress and socialite” Zsa Zsa Gabor was arrested for slapping a Beverly Hills motorcycle patrolman.

on June 14, 2023 at 5:46 PM
“I don’t know who the hell Paul Lynde is” “I don’t know who the hell Paul Lynde is”

Born on this day in 1913 comedian and actor Paul Lynde.

on June 13, 2023 at 1:46 PM
Rome wasn’t built in a day Rome wasn’t built in a day

On this day in 1963 the fabulously expensive but less than satisfying film epic Cleopatra premiered in New York City.

on June 12, 2023 at 8:01 AM
Diamonds are forever Diamonds are forever

According to the MGM press office, today is the 100th anniversary of the birth of Judy Garland.

on June 10, 2023 at 6:00 AM
“It was the drag queens who taught me glamour” “It was the drag queens who taught me glamour”

On this day in 1995 Wigstock The Movie premiered in the United States.

on June 09, 2023 at 6:00 AM
Flagellum dei Flagellum dei

On this day in 452 AD, Attila the Hun invaded Italy.

on June 08, 2023 at 8:24 AM
Listen to the lullaby Listen to the lullaby

On this day in 1981 42nd Street won the Tony Awards for “Best Musical” and “Best Choreography.”

on June 07, 2023 at 9:29 AM
Free bird Free bird

On this day in 1975 Joan Sutherland sang La traviata during the Metropolitan Opera’s tour in Tokyo.

on June 06, 2023 at 8:41 AM
L’amor della diva! L’amor della diva!

On this day in 1971 Grace Bumbry made her role debut as Tosca as part of the Metropolitan Opera Summer Festival.

on June 05, 2023 at 8:00 AM
Should you decide to accept it Should you decide to accept it

On this day in 1967 Barbara Bain won the Emmy Award for “Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Dramatic Series” for Mission: Impossible.

on June 04, 2023 at 8:09 AM
Seems an awful waste Seems an awful waste

On this day in 1979 Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street won the Tony Award for “Best Musical.”

on June 03, 2023 at 5:25 AM
Tour de force Tour de force

On this day in 1975 the Metropolitan Opera performed La bohème on tour in Tokyo.

on June 02, 2023 at 6:35 AM
June is busting out all over June is busting out all over

All the rams that chase the ewe sheep are determined there’ll be new sheep and the ewe-sheep aren’t even keeping score.

on June 01, 2023 at 10:28 AM
Someone has wounded you Someone has wounded you

On this day in 1969 the musical Dear World closed at the Mark Hellinger Theater after an extremely disappointing run of only 132 performances.

on May 31, 2023 at 6:22 AM
“The boy is a genius” “The boy is a genius”

Born on this day in 1899 film producer Irving Thalberg.

on May 30, 2023 at 6:55 AM
Teen angel Teen angel

On this day in 1962 Barbra Streisand appeared on The Garry Moore Show.

on May 29, 2023 at 8:36 AM
Gone south Gone south

On this day in 1940, Irving Berlin‘s musical Louisiana Purchase, satirizing Huey Long, opened at the Imperial Theatre, to run 444 performances.

on May 28, 2023 at 5:45 AM
Something better Something better

Broadway floperetta Arms and the Girl closed on this day in 1950, lasting only 134 performances despite a cast headed by Nanette Fabray and Pearl Bailey.

on May 27, 2023 at 6:20 AM
It’s good to be back home It’s good to be back home

On this day in 1964 Betty Comden & Adolph Green and Jule Styne‘s musical Fade Out-Fade In opened at the Mark Hellinger Theater to run 271 performances.

on May 26, 2023 at 2:56 AM
“Oh noi contenti!” “Oh noi contenti!”

Born on this day in 1929 soprano and administrator Beverly Sills.

on May 25, 2023 at 3:47 AM
It’s a time for making merry It’s a time for making merry

On this day in 1966 Jerry Herman‘s musical Mame opened at the Winter Garden Theatre, to run 1,508 performances.

on May 24, 2023 at 6:00 AM
“A palace in which you know every room isn’t worth living in” “A palace in which you know every room isn’t worth living in”

On this day in 1963 The Leopard directed by Luchino Visconti won the Cannes Palme d’Or.

on May 23, 2023 at 6:07 AM
Meister of ceremony Meister of ceremony

Born on this day in 1813 composer Richard Wagner.

on May 22, 2023 at 6:00 AM
Are women magic? Are women magic?

On this day in 1973 the film Day for Night premiered at Cannes.

on May 14, 2023 at 7:56 AM
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