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.

Corner of the sky Corner of the sky

On this day 1781 William Herschel discovered Uranus.

on March 13, 2015 at 8:00 AM
I been to college like everybody else I been to college like everybody else

Happy 87th birthday playwright Edward Albee.

on March 12, 2015 at 8:00 AM
Au revoir les infantes Au revoir les infantes

On this day in 1867 Giuseppe Verdi’s opera Don Carlos premiered in Paris.

on March 11, 2015 at 11:00 AM
It’s all you had and you’ve had it It’s all you had and you’ve had it

On this day in 1959 Tennessee WilliamsSweet Bird of Youth premiered at the Martin Beck Theatre.

on March 10, 2015 at 8:00 AM
Nell’ebbrezza d’un amplesso ch’io viva! Nell’ebbrezza d’un amplesso ch’io viva!

On this day in 1562, kissing in public was banned and made punishable by death in Naples, Italy.

on March 09, 2015 at 8:00 AM
The plans were on display The plans were on display

On this day in 1978 the first radio episode of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams was transmitted on BBC Radio 4.

on March 08, 2015 at 8:00 AM
But why, Veda? But why, Veda?

On this day in 1946 at the 18th Academy Awards, Joan Crawford was named “Best Actress” for her performance in Mildred Pierce.

on March 07, 2015 at 3:03 PM
Il me faut des géants! Il me faut des géants!

Born on this day in 1619 Cyrano de Bergerac, French author and playwright.

on March 06, 2015 at 10:41 AM
Floperetta Floperetta

On this day in 1954 the musical The Girl in Pink Tights opened at the Mark Hellinger Theater.

on March 05, 2015 at 11:36 AM
Speak the speech Speak the speech

On this day in 1869, the Booth Theater at 23rd Street and Sixth Avenue in New York City opened with a gala performance of Romeo and Juliet.

on March 03, 2015 at 12:50 PM
And then there were nuns And then there were nuns

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

on March 02, 2015 at 7:00 AM
No better friend, no worse enemy No better friend, no worse enemy

On this day in 86 B.C., Lucius Cornelius Sulla, at the head of a Roman Republic army, entered Athens, removing the tyrant Aristion who was supported by troops of Mithridates VI of Pontus.

on March 01, 2015 at 1:35 AM
Don’t let it abide in my dreams Don’t let it abide in my dreams

On this day in 1925, “Tea for Two” recorded by Marion Harris reached #1 on the Billboard chart.

on February 28, 2015 at 1:30 PM
“Acting is acting” “Acting is acting”

Born on this day in 1920 actor Tony Randall.

on February 26, 2015 at 8:00 AM
From here to obscurity From here to obscurity

On this day in 1950 Your Show of Shows with Sid Caesar and Imogene Coca premiered on NBC.

on February 25, 2015 at 11:50 AM
Orpheus ascending Orpheus ascending

On this day in 1607 L’Orfeo by Claudio Monteverdi received its première performance.

on February 24, 2015 at 8:00 AM
Font of all wisdom Font of all wisdom

This day in 1455 is the traditional anniversary date for the publication of the Gutenberg Bible, the first Western book printed with movable type.

on February 23, 2015 at 8:00 AM
In the realm of the cents In the realm of the cents

On this day in 1879 in Utica, New York, Frank Woolworth opened the first of many “five and dime” stores.

on February 22, 2015 at 1:21 PM
The world was listening The world was listening

On this day in 1972 President Nixon arrived in the People’s Republic of China.

on February 21, 2015 at 12:08 PM
Cape fear Cape fear

On this day in 1944 the “Batman and Robin” newspaper comic strip premiered.

on February 20, 2015 at 9:29 AM
The galley that is called Despair The galley that is called Despair

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

on February 19, 2015 at 9:53 AM
Whoever she is Whoever she is

On this day in 1930 Luigi Pirandello‘s Come Tu Mi Vuoi premiered in Milan.

on February 18, 2015 at 10:11 AM
Tsar quality Tsar quality

On this day in 1598 Boris Godunov was chosen tsar of Russia.

on February 17, 2015 at 7:00 AM
Bigger than a breadbox Bigger than a breadbox

On this day in 1950, the longest-running prime-time game show What’s My Line premiered on CBS.

on February 16, 2015 at 7:00 AM