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.

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
Enfin! Enfin!

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

on February 15, 2015 at 11:00 AM
The Wizard of Atlanta The Wizard of Atlanta

On this day in 1939 Victor Fleming replaced George Cukor as director of Gone With the Wind.

on February 14, 2015 at 7:58 AM
Neapolitan school Neapolitan school

On this day in 1816 the Teatro San Carlo in Naples was destroyed by fire.

on February 13, 2015 at 10:08 AM
Le tailleur Bar Le tailleur Bar

On this say in 1947 Christian Dior unveiled a “New Look”, helping Paris regain its position as the capital of the fashion world.

on February 12, 2015 at 7:58 AM
Fiddler on the fenestram Fiddler on the fenestram

On this day in 55 A.D., Tiberius Claudius Caesar Britannicus, heir to the Roman emperorship, died under mysterious circumstances in Rome, clearing the way for Nero to become Emperor.

on February 11, 2015 at 8:30 AM
O luce di quest’animation O luce di quest’animation

On this day in 1940, the first “Tom & Jerry” cartoon debuted.

on February 10, 2015 at 2:27 PM
You don’t take exams for acting, you take your courage You don’t take exams for acting, you take your courage

Born on this day in 1888 English actress Edith Evans.

on February 08, 2015 at 2:03 AM
Never in the way, and never out of the way Never in the way, and never out of the way

On this day in 1649 the claimant King Charles II of England and Scotland was declared King of Great Britain by the Parliament of Scotland.

on February 06, 2015 at 7:59 AM
The inmates take over the asylum The inmates take over the asylum

On this day in 1919 Mary PickfordD. W. Griffith, Charlie Chaplin and Douglas Fairbanks launched United Artists.

on February 05, 2015 at 7:52 AM
How could they be so wrong? How could they be so wrong?

On this day in 1968 Golden Rainbow, starring Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gormé, opened at the Shubert Theater.

on February 04, 2015 at 7:57 AM
Mother, sister, lover, friend, angel, devil, earth, home Mother, sister, lover, friend, angel, devil, earth, home

On this day in 1960 La Dolce Vita, directed by Federico Fellini and starring Marcello Mastroianni and Anita Ekberg, premiered in Italy.

on February 03, 2015 at 8:18 AM