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.

Sol survivor Sol survivor

On this day in 1830 Victor Hugo‘s Hernani premiered in Paris.

on February 25, 2016 at 11:59 AM
Dei crucci la trama smaglia il sorriso Dei crucci la trama smaglia il sorriso

Happy 82nd birthday soprano Renata Scotto.

on February 24, 2016 at 8:00 AM
La reine La reine

Born on this day in 1927 soprano Régine Crespin.

on February 23, 2016 at 8:00 AM
Heard but not seen Heard but not seen

Happy 86th birthday soprano and Hollywood “ghost” singer Marni Nixon.

on February 22, 2016 at 8:00 AM
The useful precaution The useful precaution

On this day in 1816 Rossini’s Almaviva, o sia L’inutile precauzione had its disastrous premiere in Rome. 

on February 20, 2016 at 10:00 AM
Take my soul and pour it out Take my soul and pour it out

On this day in 1914 Zandonai’s Francesca da Rimini premiered in Turin. 

on February 19, 2016 at 8:00 AM
Garden variety Garden variety

On this day in 1902 Le jongleur de Notre-Dame by Jules Massenet was first performed at the Opéra Garnier in Monte Carlo.

on February 18, 2016 at 8:00 AM
Ernst van Dyck, ya know Ernst van Dyck, ya know

On this date in 1892 Massenet’s Werther premiered in Vienna. 

on February 16, 2016 at 8:00 AM
Haine implacable Haine implacable

On this day in 1686 Jean Baptiste Lully‘s opera Armide premiered in Paris.

on February 15, 2016 at 8:00 AM
That is what Fiction means That is what Fiction means

On this day in 1895 Oscar Wilde‘s The Importance of Being Earnest premiered at the St. James’s Theatre in London.

on February 14, 2016 at 8:00 AM
She could go on singing She could go on singing

Happy 47th birthday mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato.

on February 13, 2016 at 10:58 AM
“You can’t make a soufflé rise twice” “You can’t make a soufflé rise twice”

Born on this day in 1884 writer and socialite Alice Roosevelt Longworth.

on February 12, 2016 at 8:00 AM
Vivre sa vivandière Vivre sa vivandière

On this day in 1840 Donizetti’s La fille du Regiment premiered in Paris.

on February 11, 2016 at 8:00 AM
A soaring instrument A soaring instrument

Happy 89th birthday soprano Leontyne Price!

on February 10, 2016 at 11:36 AM
Ye gods and little fishes Ye gods and little fishes

On this day in 1893 Verdi’s Falstaff premiered in Milan.

on February 09, 2016 at 8:26 AM
Apotheosis Apotheosis

On this day in 1895 the Petipa staging of Tchaikovsky’s ballet Swan Lake premiered in St Petersburg.

on February 08, 2016 at 8:00 AM
My secret love’s no secret any more My secret love’s no secret any more

On this day in 1792 Cimarosa’s Il Matrimonio Segreto premiered in Vienna.

on February 07, 2016 at 8:00 AM
Competition is always a good thing Competition is always a good thing
on February 06, 2016 at 8:00 AM
Clamori e canti di battaglia, addio! Clamori e canti di battaglia, addio!

On this day in 1887 Verdi’s Otello premiered in Milan.

on February 05, 2016 at 11:14 AM
See for yourself See for yourself

“See for yourself what the genius of Walt Disney has created in his first full length feature production.”

on February 04, 2016 at 10:00 AM
No, she is an actress No, she is an actress

Born on this day in 1943 American actress Blythe Danner.

on February 03, 2016 at 8:00 AM
Autour de moi tout est sourire, lumiére et joie! Autour de moi tout est sourire, lumiére et joie!

On this day in 1900 Gustave Charpentier‘s Louise premiered in Paris.

on February 02, 2016 at 8:00 AM
Era amorosa la tua Manon? Rammenti? Era amorosa la tua Manon? Rammenti?

On this day in 1893 Puccini’s Manon Lescaut premiered at the Teatro Regio in Turin.

on February 01, 2016 at 8:00 AM
Show Girl Show Girl

Happy 95th birthday performer Carol Channing.

on January 31, 2016 at 8:00 AM