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.
Sponsored
Pick a little, talk a little
Following the successful launch of the new regular feature The Talk of the Town in January, the team at the box is inviting contributions for a new quarter of operatic potpourri.
On this day in 1843 Wagner’s Der Fliegende Holländer premiered in Dresden.
On this joyous date in 1818 Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley’s novel Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus was published anonymously.
On this day in 535 Belisarius completed the conquest of Sicily.
Born on this day in 1938 actress and producer Mary Tyler Moore.
On this day in 1910 Engelbert Humperdinck’s “other” opera Königskinder premiered at the Met.
On this day in 1927 the Jerome Kern/Oscar Hammerstein II musical Show Boat premiered.
On this day premiered three masterpieces of the primo ottocento: Anna Bolena in 1830, Norma in 1831 and Lucia di Lammermoor in 1835.
On this day we at parterre box are always reminded of the heartwarming words of the immortal Hedda Hopper.
On this day in 1928 the first broadcast of “The Voice of Firestone” was heard.
On this day in 1958 A Party with Betty Comden and Adolph Green opened at the John Golden Theater, to run 38 performances.
On this day in 1920 the Jerome Kern musical Sally premiered at the New Amsterdam Theatre.
Born on this day in 1865 American socialite and interior decorator Elsie de Wolfe.
On this day in 1881 Hérodiade premiered at the Théâtre de la Monnaie.
On this day in 1809 Napoleon Bonaparte was divorced from the Empress Josephine by an act of the French Senate.
On this day in 1939 Gone with the Wind received its premiere at Loew’s Grand Theatre in Atlanta.
On this day in 1918 Giacomo Puccini’s Il Trittico premiered at the Met.
On this day in 1930 actress Bette Davis arrived in Hollywood, under contract to Universal Studios.
Today is the centennial of the birth of pop stylist supreme Frank Sinatra.
On this day in 1882 Victorien Sardou‘s melodrama Fédora opened in Paris, featuring Sarah Bernhardt in the title role.
Sponsored
Wanna write for us? We’re accepting pitches.
Parterre Box welcomes pitches from all interested writers—even those not endowed quite as pictured.
Parterre Box is the best opera magazine on the web.
Reviews, breaking news, critical essays, and brainrot commentary on opera from those demented enough to love it.
×
Sign up for Parterre’s free newsletter.
Exclusive opera reviews, commentary, and top reads
delivered to your email weekly…ish.