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.

Ear candy Ear candy

On this day in 1893 Engelbert Humperdinck‘s Hansel und Gretel premiered in Weimar

on December 23, 2023 at 6:00 AM
Lucca-like Lucca-like

Born on this day in 1858 composer Giacomo Puccini

on December 22, 2023 at 6:00 AM
Silver linings’ playbook Silver linings’ playbook

On this day in 1921 Jerome Kern‘s Sally produced by Ziegfeld on Broadway

on December 21, 2023 at 6:00 AM
A beautiful little fool A beautiful little fool

Happy 85th birthday composer John Harbison

on December 20, 2023 at 6:00 AM
Let them eat cake Let them eat cake

On this date in 1991 the world premiere of John Corigliano‘s The Ghost of Versailles at the Met

on December 19, 2023 at 6:00 AM
Streich up the band Streich up the band

Born on this day in 1920 soprano Rita Streich…

on December 18, 2023 at 6:00 AM
Ticklish problems Ticklish problems

Georg Solti made his Met debut conducting Tannhäuser on this date in 1960.

on December 17, 2023 at 6:00 AM
If you’re a star, you should behave like one If you’re a star, you should behave like one

Born on this day in 1770 composer Ludwig van Beethoven

on December 16, 2023 at 6:00 AM
Del mio pensiero tu sei Raina Del mio pensiero tu sei Raina

Happy 89th birthday soprano Raina Kabaivanska

on December 15, 2023 at 6:00 AM
Quest’ansia, questa strana nostalgia Quest’ansia, questa strana nostalgia

On this day in 1918 Puccini’s Il trittico had its world premiere at the Met

on December 14, 2023 at 6:00 AM
Die Ehre wiederfahren Die Ehre wiederfahren

On this day in 1979 mezzo Agnes Baltsa made her Met debut as Octavian

on December 13, 2023 at 6:00 AM
Tu azzurro hai l’occhio Tu azzurro hai l’occhio

Born on this day in 1915 singer and actor Frank Sinatra

on December 12, 2023 at 6:00 AM
Idée fixe Idée fixe

Born on this day in 1803 composer Hector Berlioz

on December 11, 2023 at 6:00 AM
Reverse cowgirl Reverse cowgirl

On this day in 1910 Puccini’s La Fanciulla del West had its world premiere at the Met.

on December 10, 2023 at 6:00 AM
E così vada s’è pur mio destino! E così vada s’è pur mio destino!

On this day in 1901 Gabriele D’Annunzio’s Francesca da Rimini premiered in Rome starring Eleonora Duse and Gustavo Salvini

on December 09, 2023 at 6:00 AM
All is grist for the <em>Miller</em> All is grist for the <em>Miller</em>

On this day in 1849 Verdi’s Luisa Miller premiered in Naples

on December 08, 2023 at 6:00 AM
Son’io la gloria Son’io la gloria

Born on this day in 1863 composer Pietro Mascagni

on December 07, 2023 at 6:00 AM
Trouble must be treated just like a rebel Trouble must be treated just like a rebel

On this day in 1846 Berlioz’s La damnation de Faust premiered in Paris

on December 06, 2023 at 6:00 AM
A chanté le carnage A chanté le carnage

Happy 77th birthday tenor José Carreras

on December 05, 2023 at 6:00 AM
Mad about music Mad about music

Born on this day in 1921 Deanna Durbin

on December 04, 2023 at 6:00 AM
Voce di donna Voce di donna

On this day in 1993, the first issue of parterre box was published

on December 03, 2023 at 6:00 AM
Diva down Diva down

Born on this day 100 years ago

on December 02, 2023 at 6:00 AM
Able seamen Able seamen

World AIDS Day 2023

on December 01, 2023 at 6:00 AM
Always DeVolving Always DeVolving

Happy 81st birthday soprano Luana DeVol

on November 30, 2023 at 6:00 AM