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.

Now, Voyager Now, Voyager

On this day in 1620 the Mayflower reached Cape Cod.

on November 19, 2014 at 12:05 AM
Flèche and fantasy Flèche and fantasy

On this day in 1307, William Tell shot apple off his son’s head, assuming that actually happened.

on November 18, 2014 at 1:28 AM
Queen sized Queen sized

On this day in 1558 Elizabeth I ascended the English throne.

on November 17, 2014 at 1:43 AM
Twice two makes five Twice two makes five

On this day in 1849, a Russian court sentenced writer Fyodor Dostoevsky to death for anti-government activities linked to a radical intellectual group.

on November 16, 2014 at 10:16 AM
Thirst for conquest Thirst for conquest

On this day in 1533 Francisco Pizzaro arrived in Cuzco, the capital of the Inca Empire.

on November 15, 2014 at 12:04 AM
The Bishop of Broadway The Bishop of Broadway

On this day in 1905, David Belasco’s The Girl of Golden West premiered in New York City.

on November 14, 2014 at 8:29 AM
Not safe for Turk Not safe for Turk

On this day in 1918, Allied troops occupued Constantinople, the capital of the Ottoman Empire.

on November 13, 2014 at 12:38 AM
A daring young man A daring young man

On this day in 1859, Jules Leotard performed the first flying trapeze circus act in Paris.

on November 12, 2014 at 12:12 AM
In the hands of fate In the hands of fate

On this day in 1862 Verdi’s La forza del destino premiered in St. Petersburg.

on November 11, 2014 at 6:00 AM
Nerd for Windows Nerd for Windows

On this day in 1983 Bill Gates introduced Windows 1.0.

on November 10, 2014 at 8:43 AM
A tiny cog in the great wheel of evolution A tiny cog in the great wheel of evolution

On this day in 1939 Ninotchka, starring Greta Garbo, premiered.

on November 09, 2014 at 6:00 AM
Wer ein solches Weib errungen, stimm’ in unsern Jubel ein! Wer ein solches Weib errungen, stimm’ in unsern Jubel ein!

On this day in 1912, the Deutsche Opernhaus (now Deutsche Oper Berlin) opens with a production of Beethoven’s Fidelio.

on November 07, 2014 at 12:19 AM
Activism Activism

On this day in 1913 Mohandas K Gandhi was arrested for leading an Indian miners march in South Africa.

on November 06, 2014 at 11:21 AM
Failure is impossible Failure is impossible

On this day in 1872, suffragist Susan B. Anthony voted in defiance of the law, and was later fined $100.

on November 05, 2014 at 6:42 AM
Not since 1890 Not since 1890

On this day in 1890 Alexander Borodin‘s opera Prince Igor premiered in St. Petersburg.

on November 04, 2014 at 7:04 AM
Overflow Overflow

On this day in 1333, the River Arno flooded.

on November 03, 2014 at 12:05 AM
Number one with a bullet Number one with a bullet

On this day in 1894, Thomas Edison filmed American sharpshooter Annie Oakley, leading to her hiring by Buffalo Bill for his Wild West Show.

on November 01, 2014 at 3:24 AM
A bulwark never failing A bulwark never failing

On this day in 1517, Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg.

on October 31, 2014 at 8:00 AM
Cold comfort Cold comfort

On this day in 1952 Clarence Birdseye sold the first frozen peas.

on October 30, 2014 at 12:34 AM
For the ladies For the ladies

On this day in 1787, Mozart’s opera Don Giovanni received its first performance in Prague.

on October 29, 2014 at 3:12 AM
The lady with the torch The lady with the torch

On this day in 1886, President Grover Cleveland dedicated the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor.

on October 28, 2014 at 12:02 AM
Solidus citizen Solidus citizen

On this day in 312, Constantine the Great is said to have received his famous Vision of the Cross.

on October 27, 2014 at 3:32 AM
La voix de l’Empereur! La voix de l’Empereur!

On this day in 1520, Charles V, later Holy Roman Emperor, was crowned King of Germany.

on October 26, 2014 at 2:13 AM
Get hep! Get hep!

On this day in 1938, the Archbishop of Dubuque, Francis J. L. Beckman, denounced swing music.

on October 25, 2014 at 3:08 AM