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 this day in 1910 prima ballerina Anna Pavlova made her debut at the Metropolitan Opera in Coppelia (on a double bill with Werther!)
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On this day in 1890 the Metropolitan Opera presented the company premiere of Bellini’s Norma as “a benefit to supplement the earnings of Lilli Lehmann.”
On this day in 1972 soprano Anja Silja made her Metropolitan Opera debut in Fidelio.
On this day in 1976 the Metropolitan Opera presented a new production of Bellini’s I puritani.
Born on this day in 1927 soprano Régine Crespin.
On this day in 1926, the youthful soprano Marion Talley sang Lucia di Lammermoor at the Metropolitan Opera.
On this day in 1978, the Metropolitan Opera presented a new production of Donizetti’s La favorita.
On this day in 1989 the Metropolitan Opera presented a new production of Salome.
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 this day in 1972 the Metropolitan Opera presented a new production of Donizetti’s La Fille du Régiment.
On this day in 2015 the Metropolitan Opera presented the company premiere of Rossini’s La donna del lago.
On this day in 2013 the Metropolitan Opera presented a new production of Wagner’s Parsifal.
Happy 64th birthday soprano Renée Fleming!
On this day in 1937 soprano Bidu Sayão made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Manon.
On this day in 1970 Renata Tebaldi introduced her Minnie to the Metropolitan Opera.
Happy 96th birthday soprano Leontyne Price.
On this day in 1974 soprano Kiri Te Kanawa made an “emergency” Met debut as Desdemona and her broadcast debut.
On this day in 1982 the Metropolitan Opera revisited its controversial season-opener Norma.
On this day in 1928 soprano Grace Moore made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Mimi.
On this day in 1959, soprano Leonie Rysanek made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Lady Macbeth.
On this day in 2006 tenor Jonas Kaufmann made his Metropolitan Opera debut as Alfredo.
On this day in 1965 the Metropolitan Opera presented a new production of Salome.
Happy 86th birthday soprano Martina Arroyo.
