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.

Valentine’s massacre Valentine’s massacre

On this day in 1884 the Metropolitan Opera presented its first performance of Meyerbeer’s Les Huguenots.

on March 19, 2023 at 8:23 AM
Demimondaine Demimondaine

On this day in 1993 Tiziana Fabbricini made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Violetta.

on March 18, 2023 at 5:00 AM
Spook music Spook music

On this day in 1967 the Metropolitan Opera presented the world premiere of Marvin David Levy‘s Mourning Becomes Electra.

on March 17, 2023 at 1:14 AM
Dove sono i bei momenti Dove sono i bei momenti

On this day in 1991 soprano Renée Fleming made her Metropolitan Opera stage debut as Countess Almaviva.

on March 16, 2023 at 1:34 AM
Helen is always willing Helen is always willing

On this day in 2007 the Metropolitan Opera presented a new production of Die Ägyptische Helena.

on March 15, 2023 at 6:00 AM
Knocking on heaven’s door Knocking on heaven’s door

On this day in 1959 soprano Martina Arroyo made her Metropolitan Opera debut as the Celestial Voice in Don Carlo.

on March 14, 2023 at 4:08 PM
Cistern act Cistern act

On this day in 1965 the Metropolitan Opera offered a matinee performance of Salome featuring Birgit Nilsson.

on March 13, 2023 at 2:09 AM
Master of monumentality Master of monumentality

On this day in 1987 the Met raised the curtain on Franco Zeffirelli‘s production of Turandot.

on March 12, 2023 at 12:46 AM
Isle, follow my secret heart Isle, follow my secret heart

On this day in 1993, the Metropolitan Opera presented a new production of Ariadne auf Naxos.

on March 11, 2023 at 6:00 AM
“A graceful trifle” “A graceful trifle”

On this day in 1928 the Metropolitan Opera presented the United States premiere of Puccini’s La rondine starring Lucrezia Bori and Beniamino GIgli.

on March 10, 2023 at 6:00 AM
Fascinating chiaroscuro Fascinating chiaroscuro

On this day in 1984, the Metropolitan Opera presented a new production of Zandonai’s Francesca da Rimini.

on March 09, 2023 at 6:00 AM
Fancy pants Fancy pants

On this day in 1976 mezzo-soprano Tatiana Troyanos made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Octavian.

on March 08, 2023 at 6:00 AM
Valse impériale Valse impériale

Born on this day in 1931 soprano Mady Mesplé.

on March 07, 2023 at 6:00 AM
Sworded lives Sworded lives

On this day in 1969 the Metropolitan Opera presented a new production of Verdi’s Il trovatore.

on March 06, 2023 at 6:00 AM
Loony Kazan Loony Kazan

On this day in 2010 the Metropolitan Opera presented the company premiere of Shostakovich’s The Nose.

on March 05, 2023 at 6:00 AM
Nymph errant Nymph errant

On this day in 1922 the Metropolitan Opera presented the company debut of Catalani’s Loreley.

on March 04, 2023 at 6:00 AM
That’s what friends are for That’s what friends are for

On this day in 1970 mezzo-soprano Marilyn Horne made her Metropolitan Opera debut in a new production of Norma.

on March 03, 2023 at 8:30 AM
Renegade princess Renegade princess

On this day in 1936, mezzo-soprano Bruna Castagna made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Amneris.

on March 02, 2023 at 6:00 AM
Here comes the sun Here comes the sun

On this day in 1945 the Metropolitan Opera revived Rimsky-Korsakov’s Le Coq d’Or.

on March 01, 2023 at 6:00 AM
Valley of the doll Valley of the doll

On this day in 1910 prima ballerina Anna Pavlova made her debut at the Metropolitan Opera in Coppelia (on a double bill with Werther!)

on February 28, 2023 at 9:03 AM
“A not unnatural desire to display her versatility” “A not unnatural desire to display her versatility”

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 February 27, 2023 at 7:25 AM
In trousers In trousers

On this day in 1972 soprano Anja Silja made her Metropolitan Opera debut in Fidelio.

on February 26, 2023 at 8:33 AM
A four-star quartet A four-star quartet

On this day in 1976 the Metropolitan Opera presented a new production of Bellini’s I puritani.

on February 25, 2023 at 8:14 AM
A fine day A fine day

Happy 89th birthday soprano Renata Scotto.

on February 24, 2023 at 8:17 AM