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.

Pole of the audience Pole of the audience

Happy 52nd birthday baritone Mariusz Kwiecien

By on November 04, 2024 at 6:00 AM
39 comments
Norma conquest Norma conquest

Born on this day in 1801 composer Vincenzo Bellini

By on November 03, 2024 at 6:00 AM
65 comments
First things first, I’m the realist First things first, I’m the realist

Born on this day in 1906, film, stage and opera director and designer Luchino Visconti

By on November 02, 2024 at 6:00 AM
37 comments
Angel on my shoulder Angel on my shoulder

Born on this day in 1923 soprano Victoria de los Angeles

By on November 01, 2024 at 6:00 AM
31 comments
Delle tombe il gemito tre volte a me parlò Delle tombe il gemito tre volte a me parlò

Happy Halloween, Parterrians!

By on October 31, 2024 at 6:00 AM
38 comments
Which witch is which? Which witch is which?

Stephen Schwartz‘s Wicked premiered on this day in 2003

By on October 30, 2024 at 6:00 AM
28 comments
Under the mistletoe Under the mistletoe

On this day in 1956 La Divina made her Met debut as Norma

By on October 29, 2024 at 6:00 AM
12 comments
Knight shift Knight shift

On this day in 1961 tenor Sandor Konya made his Met debut as Lohengrin. Ingrid Bjoner debuts as Elsa.

By on October 28, 2024 at 6:00 AM
25 comments
Might as well jump Might as well jump

On this day in 1958 Met opening night Tosca with Tebaldi, Mario del Monaco, and George London.

By on October 27, 2024 at 6:00 AM
24 comments
Just as the acid queen must do Just as the acid queen must do

On this day in 1959 mezzo-soprano Giulietta Simionato made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Azucena

By on October 26, 2024 at 6:00 AM
45 comments
Page to stage Page to stage

Born on this day in 1926 soprano Galina Vishnevskaya

By on October 25, 2024 at 6:00 AM
65 comments
Everything beautiful happens at night Everything beautiful happens at night

Happy 69th birthday soprano Cheryl Studer

By on October 24, 2024 at 6:00 AM
61 comments
Telephone girly Telephone girly

Born on this day in 1921 soprano Denise Duval

By on October 23, 2024 at 6:00 AM
140 comments
Boxing day Boxing day

On this day in 1883 the Metropolitan Opera House opened with Gounod‘s Faust.

By on October 22, 2024 at 6:00 AM
52 comments
Hungarian rhapsode Hungarian rhapsode

Born on this day in 1912 conductor Georg Solti

By on October 21, 2024 at 6:00 AM
30 comments
I am in mourning for my life I am in mourning for my life

Happy 79th birthday composer Thomas Pasatieri

By on October 20, 2024 at 6:00 AM
55 comments
Clean and clear Clean and clear

Happy 90h birthday soprano Benita Valente

By on October 19, 2024 at 6:00 AM
47 comments
Feminine Weills Feminine Weills

Born on this day in 1898 actress and singer Lotte Lenya

By on October 18, 2024 at 6:00 AM
33 comments
Campo-town lady Campo-town lady

On this day in 1991 soprano Deborah Voigt made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Amelia

By on October 17, 2024 at 6:00 AM
33 comments
I can resist everything but temptation I can resist everything but temptation

Born on this day in 1854 writer Oscar Wilde

By on October 16, 2024 at 6:00 AM
38 comments
Oralia fixation Oralia fixation

Born on this day in 1925 mezzo soprano Oralia Dominguez

By on October 15, 2024 at 6:00 AM
42 comments
Electric slide Electric slide

Born on this day in 1952 composer Kaija Saariaho

By on October 14, 2024 at 6:00 AM
78 comments
Long heard about but never heard in Long heard about but never heard in

On this day in 1965 soprano Renata Scotto made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Cio-Cio San

By on October 13, 2024 at 6:00 AM
55 comments
Tears dry on their own Tears dry on their own

Born on this day in 1935 tenor Luciano Pavarotti

By on October 12, 2024 at 6:00 AM
113 comments