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.

There’s only color and light There’s only color and light

Happy 83rd birthday director and designer Robert Wilson

By on October 04, 2024 at 6:00 AM
33 comments
Gonna build a daydream from a little hope Gonna build a daydream from a little hope

On this day in 1968 soprano Marion Lippert made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Turandot.

By on October 03, 2024 at 6:00 AM
25 comments
Freude im Herzen Freude im Herzen

On this day in 1966 baritone Walter Berry made his Metropolitan Opera debut as Barak

By on October 02, 2024 at 6:00 AM
89 comments
Practically perfect in every way Practically perfect in every way

Happy 89th birthday Julie Andrews

By on October 01, 2024 at 6:00 AM
140 comments
Music for chameleons Music for chameleons

On this day in 1791 Mozart‘s Die Zauberflöte premiered in Vienna

By on September 30, 2024 at 6:00 AM
86 comments
When the moon hits your eye When the moon hits your eye

On this day in 1965 soprano Mirella Freni and tenor Gianni Raimondi made their Metropolitan Opera debuts in La bohème

By on September 29, 2024 at 6:00 AM
57 comments
Ciel! quante belle frasi… Ciel! quante belle frasi…

On this day in 1968 tenor Placido Domingo made his Metropolitan Opera debut as Maurizio

By on September 28, 2024 at 6:00 AM
74 comments
Direct messaging Direct messaging

Happy 67th birthday opera director Peter Sellars

By on September 27, 2024 at 6:00 AM
63 comments
Wedding bell blues Wedding bell blues

On this day in 1835 Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor premiered in Naples

By on September 26, 2024 at 6:00 AM
215 comments
In the John In the John

On this day in 1985 baritone Giuseppe Taddei made his belated Metropolitan Opera debut as Falstaff

By on September 25, 2024 at 6:00 AM
82 comments
Suite for three baritones Suite for three baritones

Baritone day!

By on September 24, 2024 at 6:00 AM
54 comments
You interest me You interest me

Born on this day in 1907 bass Nicola Moscona…

By on September 23, 2024 at 6:00 AM
33 comments
Seedlings turn overnight to sunflowers Seedlings turn overnight to sunflowers

Happy 83rd birthday soprano Anna Tomowa-Sintow

By on September 22, 2024 at 6:00 AM
84 comments
Baron life Baron life

Happy 73rd birthday baritone Alessandro Corbelli

By on September 21, 2024 at 6:00 AM
36 comments
O donna fatale O donna fatale

Happy 90th birthday actress Sophia Loren

By on September 20, 2024 at 6:00 AM
41 comments
Plus Blanche que la blanche hermine Plus Blanche que la blanche hermine

Born on this day in 1918 mezzo-soprano Blanche Thebom (some sources say 1915)

By on September 19, 2024 at 6:00 AM
74 comments
Sola e lontana Sola e lontana

Happy 53rd birthday soprano Anna Netrebko

By on September 18, 2024 at 6:00 AM
70 comments
A little knowledge can mar a lot of pleasure A little knowledge can mar a lot of pleasure

Born on this day in 1904 choreographer Frederick Ashton

By on September 17, 2024 at 6:00 AM
28 comments
Twin flares Twin flares

Happy 75th birthdays directors Christopher and David Alden

By on September 16, 2024 at 6:00 AM
55 comments
Jessye has maturity and plenty of security Jessye has maturity and plenty of security

Born on this day in 1945 soprano Jessye Norman

By on September 15, 2024 at 6:00 AM
80 comments
Scary stories to tell in the dark Scary stories to tell in the dark

On this day in 1954 Britten‘s Turn of the Screw premiered in Venice

By on September 14, 2024 at 6:00 AM
45 comments
Stelle! Dei! Nume d’amore! Stelle! Dei! Nume d’amore!

Born on this day in 1939 soprano Arleen Augér

By on September 13, 2024 at 6:00 AM
11 comments
La regina ambita non è più da me La regina ambita non è più da me

Born on this day in 1938 mezzo-soprano Tatiana Troyanos

By on September 12, 2024 at 6:00 AM
10 comments
Pärt and parcel Pärt and parcel

Happy 89th birthday composer Arvo Pärt

By on September 11, 2024 at 6:00 AM
3 comments