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.

My love and my whole life My love and my whole life

Happy 57th birthday soprano Angela Gheorghiu.

By on September 07, 2022 at 8:29 AM
95 comments
A little bit louder now A little bit louder now

Happy 85th birthday to actress, singer and comedienne Jo Anne Worley.

By on September 06, 2022 at 7:55 AM
86 comments
Fan club Fan club

Happy 62nd birthday soprano Karita Mattila.

By on September 05, 2022 at 5:13 AM
168 comments
Cooking with gas Cooking with gas

Happy 91st birthday to dancer Francesca Marlene de Czanyi von Gerber, better known as Mitzi Gaynor.

By on September 04, 2022 at 2:32 AM
50 comments
I’ll find you in each dream I’ll find you in each dream

Born on this day in 1910 singer, actress and arts advocate Kitty Carlisle Hart.

By on September 03, 2022 at 9:50 AM
18 comments
Star-eyed dream children Star-eyed dream children

On this day in 1924 the operetta Rose-Marie opened at the Imperial Theatre.

By on September 02, 2022 at 8:22 AM
43 comments
Good times and bum times Good times and bum times

Born 100 years ago today actress and singer Yvonne De Carlo.

By on September 01, 2022 at 7:57 AM
82 comments
Sweeter music when she sings Sweeter music when she sings

Born on this day in 1918 lyricist and librettist Alan Jay Lerner.

By on August 31, 2022 at 2:24 AM
12 comments
Where is style? Where is skill? Where is style? Where is skill?

Today is the 100th anniversary of the birth of soprano, mezzo-soprano and opera director Regina Resnik.

By on August 30, 2022 at 4:50 AM
93 comments
“The world worships the original” “The world worships the original”

Born on this day 1915 actress Ingrid Bergman.

By on August 29, 2022 at 3:26 AM
67 comments
“What am I trying to do?” “What am I trying to do?”

Born on this day in 1889 cinematographer James Wong Howe.

By on August 28, 2022 at 7:24 AM
50 comments
Starry-eyed again Starry-eyed again

Born on this day in 1916 actress and comedian Martha Raye.

By on August 27, 2022 at 2:43 AM
5 comments
You can’t ignore convention You can’t ignore convention

Born on this day in 1897 director and screenwriter Douglas Sirk.

By on August 26, 2022 at 2:47 AM
39 comments
Go into your dance Go into your dance

Born on this day in 1909 dancer and actress Ruby Keeler.

By on August 25, 2022 at 8:00 AM
24 comments
“Typecasting is a good thing” “Typecasting is a good thing”

Happy 64th birthday actor Steve Guttenberg.

By on August 24, 2022 at 1:07 PM
3 comments
“I couldn’t kill a fly” “I couldn’t kill a fly”

Happy 93rd birthday to actress Vera Miles.

By on August 23, 2022 at 1:43 AM
37 comments
With scented dew still wet With scented dew still wet

Born on this day in 1893 poet, short story writer, critic and satirist Dorothy Parker.

By on August 22, 2022 at 12:31 PM
19 comments
“A woman is closest to being naked when she is well dressed” “A woman is closest to being naked when she is well dressed”

Born on this day in 1883 designer Coco Chanel.

By on August 19, 2022 at 12:59 PM
60 comments
That afternoon changed my whole life That afternoon changed my whole life

Born on this day in 1920 actress Shelley Winters.

By on August 18, 2022 at 8:00 AM
36 comments
I’m the girl on the scene I’m the girl on the scene

Born on this day in 1893 actress and icon Mae West.

By on August 17, 2022 at 11:41 AM
37 comments
Was I soft or was I tough? Was I soft or was I tough?

Born on this day in 1928 singer Eydie Gormé.

By on August 16, 2022 at 10:05 AM
66 comments
“I was unbelievably lucky” “I was unbelievably lucky”

Born on this day in 1912 actress Wendy Hiller.

By on August 15, 2022 at 12:06 PM
75 comments
A girl who’s merely me A girl who’s merely me

Born on this day in 1923 actress and comedian Alice Ghostley.

By on August 14, 2022 at 12:23 PM
30 comments
Only one is a wanderer Only one is a wanderer

Born on this day in 1899 producer and director Alfred Hitchcock.

By on August 13, 2022 at 7:16 AM
44 comments
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