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.


On a small scale On a small scale

On this day in 1926, the youthful soprano Marion Talley sang Lucia di Lammermoor at the Metropolitan Opera.

on February 22, 2023 at 7:15 AM
Making the trivial triumphant Making the trivial triumphant

On this day in 1978, the Metropolitan Opera presented a new production of Donizetti’s La favorita.

on February 21, 2023 at 9:50 AM
A musical orgasm A musical orgasm

On this day in 1989 the Metropolitan Opera presented a new production of Salome.

on February 20, 2023 at 9:13 AM
Hört der Mutter Schwur! Hört der Mutter Schwur!

On this day in 1967 the Marc Chagall production of Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte was unveiled at the Met, featuring the debut of soprano Lucia Popp as the Queen of the Night.

on February 19, 2023 at 6:00 AM
Comedy tonight Comedy tonight

On this day in 1972 the Metropolitan Opera presented a new production of Donizetti’s La Fille du Régiment.

on February 17, 2023 at 3:55 AM
Skiff, I loved you Skiff, I loved you

On this day in 2015 the Metropolitan Opera presented the company premiere of Rossini’s La donna del lago.

on February 16, 2023 at 6:00 AM
Let it bleed Let it bleed

On this day in 2013 the Metropolitan Opera presented a new production of Wagner’s Parsifal.

on February 15, 2023 at 6:00 AM
One more verse One more verse

Happy 64th birthday soprano Renée Fleming!

on February 14, 2023 at 11:21 AM
A delicate but defined charm A delicate but defined charm

On this day in 1937 soprano Bidu Sayão made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Manon.

on February 13, 2023 at 6:00 AM
That ‘Girl’ That ‘Girl’

On this day in 1970 Renata Tebaldi introduced her Minnie to the Metropolitan Opera.

on February 11, 2023 at 6:00 AM
Love for music Love for music

Happy 96th birthday soprano Leontyne Price.

on February 10, 2023 at 6:00 AM
Reluctant to leave Reluctant to leave

On this day in 1974 soprano Kiri Te Kanawa made an “emergency” Met debut as Desdemona and her broadcast debut.

on February 09, 2023 at 6:00 AM
No minor talent No minor talent

On this day in 1982 the Metropolitan Opera revisited its controversial season-opener Norma.

on February 08, 2023 at 6:00 AM
“Assuredly not a sensation” “Assuredly not a sensation”

On this day in 1928 soprano Grace Moore made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Mimi.

on February 07, 2023 at 6:00 AM
The most exciting artist The most exciting artist

On this day in 1959, soprano Leonie Rysanek made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Lady Macbeth.

on February 05, 2023 at 9:00 PM
Sexy package Sexy package

On this day in 2006 tenor Jonas Kaufmann made his Metropolitan Opera debut as Alfredo.

on February 04, 2023 at 6:00 AM
Miss Nilsson did all the right things Miss Nilsson did all the right things

On this day in 1965 the Metropolitan Opera presented a new production of Salome.

on February 03, 2023 at 6:00 AM
She is legend She is legend

Happy 86th birthday soprano Martina Arroyo.

on February 02, 2023 at 6:00 AM
A whole can of worms A whole can of worms

On this day in 1979 the Metropolitan Opera presented a new production of Verdi’s Don Carlo.

on February 01, 2023 at 6:00 AM
“Il vostro fato è in vostra mano!” “Il vostro fato è in vostra mano!”

On this day in 1974 Verdi’s I Vespri Siciliani had its Metropolitan Opera stage premiere.

on January 31, 2023 at 6:00 AM
Late riser Late riser

On this day in 1957 soprano Martha Modl made her Metropolitan Opera debut as the Siegfried Brünnhilde.

on January 30, 2023 at 6:00 AM
Your mother should know Your mother should know

On this day in 1977 the Metropolitan Opera broadcast its new production of Meyerbeer’s Le Prophète.

on January 29, 2023 at 6:00 AM
The royal purple of sovereign glory The royal purple of sovereign glory

On this day in 1903, the Metropolitan Opera presented the company premiere of Verdi’s Ernani.

on January 28, 2023 at 6:00 AM
Everyone sang out Everyone sang out

On this day in 1961 the Metropolitan Opera presented the historic debuts of Leontyne Price and Franco Corelli in Verdi’s Il trovatore.

on January 27, 2023 at 9:36 AM
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