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.

“The groom was prettier than the bride” “The groom was prettier than the bride”

On this day in 1963 Elliott Gould and Barbra Streisand were married.

on March 21, 2016 at 8:00 AM
Blowing in the wind Blowing in the wind

Born on this day in 1928 television personality Fred Rogers.

on March 20, 2016 at 8:00 AM
Sous le feuillage sombre voici nos amoureux qui reviennent! Sous le feuillage sombre voici nos amoureux qui reviennent!

On this day in 1859 Charles Gounod’s Faust premiered in Paris; five years later his opera Mirelle also premiered.

on March 19, 2016 at 8:00 AM
It is the strain I heard within my soul It is the strain I heard within my soul

On this day in 1910, Frederick S. Converse‘s The Pipe of Desire premiered at the Met, the first opera by an American composer to be performed by that company.

on March 18, 2016 at 8:00 AM
Bonjour, fière cité Bonjour, fière cité

On this day in 1990 the Paris Bastille Opera opened with a performance of Berlioz’ Les Troyens.

on March 17, 2016 at 8:00 AM
Coming up roses Coming up roses

On this day in 1894 Massenet’s Thaïs premiered in Paris. 

on March 16, 2016 at 10:56 AM
Bloody likely Bloody likely

On this day in 1956 Lerner and Lowe’s My Fair Lady opened on Broadway.

on March 15, 2016 at 8:00 AM
Virtue is triumphant only in theatrical performances Virtue is triumphant only in theatrical performances

On this day in 1885 W S Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan’s The Mikado premiered in London.

on March 14, 2016 at 8:00 AM
Malheureuse princesse Malheureuse princesse

On this day in 1797 Luigi Cherubini’s Medée premiered in Paris.

on March 13, 2016 at 8:32 AM
Five zero Five zero

On this day iconic countertenor David Daniels (not pictured) turns 50!

on March 12, 2016 at 7:30 AM
Hump day Hump day

On this day in 1851 Verdi’s Rigoletto premiered in Venice.

on March 11, 2016 at 8:00 AM
A luxury a woman in love can’t afford A luxury a woman in love can’t afford

Born on this day in 1903 American author, politician, and US Ambassador Clare Boothe Luce.

on March 10, 2016 at 8:00 AM
Overture! Light the lights! Overture! Light the lights!

On this day across opera history, four major works premiered.

on March 09, 2016 at 9:00 AM
Last of the castratos Last of the castratos

On this day in 1824 Giacomo Meyerbeer’s opera Il Crociato in Egitto premiered in Venice.

on March 07, 2016 at 9:06 AM
Vertigo Vertigo

On this day in 1831 Vincenzo Bellini‘s La Sonnambula premiered in Milan.

on March 06, 2016 at 8:07 PM
Sparks descending Sparks descending

On this day in 1856 the second Royal Opera House Covent Garden theatre was destroyed by fire.

on March 05, 2016 at 11:19 AM
Love actually Love actually

On this day in 1830 Vincenzo Bellini’s I Capuleti e i Montecchi premiered in Venice.

on March 04, 2016 at 8:51 AM
She was a gypsy woman She was a gypsy woman

On this day in 1875 Bizet’s Carmen had its disastrous premiere at the Opera Comique in Paris. 

on March 03, 2016 at 8:00 AM
An ordinary couple An ordinary couple

On this day in 1965 The Sound of Music, starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer, was released.

on March 02, 2016 at 10:13 AM
Final curtain Final curtain

On this day in 1957 Ziegfeld Follies of 1957 opened at the Winter Garden, to run 123 performances.

on March 01, 2016 at 8:00 AM
St. Bart’s St. Bart’s

On this day in 1836 Meyerbeer’s Les Huguenots opened in Paris.

on February 29, 2016 at 8:00 AM
Neither was there any such spice as the Queen of Sheba gave King Solomon Neither was there any such spice as the Queen of Sheba gave King Solomon

On this day in 1862 Gounod’s La Reine de Saba premiered in Paris.

on February 28, 2016 at 8:00 AM
The girl next door The girl next door

Happy 81st birthday soprano Mirella Freni.

on February 27, 2016 at 8:00 AM
Aimer, c’est agir Aimer, c’est agir

Born on this day in 1802 author and playwright Victor Hugo.

on February 26, 2016 at 8:00 AM