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.

Get happy Get happy

On this day in 1975 the Metropolitan Opera revived La Gioconda with Martina Arroyo in the title role.

on October 18, 2022 at 6:45 AM
Nothing tempting or yielding Nothing tempting or yielding

On this day in 1963 the Metropolitan Opera presented a new production of Manon starring Anna Moffo and Nicolai Gedda.

on October 17, 2022 at 7:55 AM
Joy division Joy division

On this day in 1989 the Metropolitan Opera presented a new production of La traviata featuring Edita Gruberova conducted by Carlos Kleiber and directed by Franco Zeffirelli.

on October 16, 2022 at 7:47 AM
Infinito! Infinito!

On this day in 1962 the Metropolitan Opera opened its season with a revival of Andrea Chenier starring Franco Corelli and Eileen Farrell.

on October 15, 2022 at 9:55 AM
“So much for traditional sweetness and charm” “So much for traditional sweetness and charm”

On this day in 1998 the Metropolitan Opera presented a new production of Le nozze di Figaro featuring Cecilia Bartoli as Susanna.

on October 14, 2022 at 5:59 AM
Late to the party Late to the party

On this day in 1964 Elisabeth Schwarzkopf made her Metropolitan Opera debut as the Marschallin in Der Rosenkavalier.

on October 13, 2022 at 8:51 AM
Tableau vivant Tableau vivant

On this day in 1964 the Metropolitan Opera opened its season with a new production of Lucia di Lammermoor.

on October 12, 2022 at 7:30 AM
Light my pyre Light my pyre

On this day in 1976, the Metropolitan Opera opened its season with a revival of Il trovatore starring Luciano Pavarotti, Renata Scotto, Shirley Verrett and Matteo Manuguerra.

on October 11, 2022 at 8:42 AM
It ain’t easy being green It ain’t easy being green

Born on this day composer Giuseppe Verdi (1813) and soprano Leyla Gencer (1924).

on October 10, 2022 at 6:50 AM
Why are there so many songs about rainbows? Why are there so many songs about rainbows?

On this day in 1987 the Metropolitan Opera premiered a new production of Das Rheingold.

on October 09, 2022 at 8:00 AM
Stellar Dalis Stellar Dalis

Born on this day in 1925 versatile mezzo-soprano Irene Dalis.

on October 08, 2022 at 5:45 AM
When divas collide When divas collide

On this day in 1989 Dolora Zajick and Aprile Millo faced off in Aida at the Metropolitan Opera.

on October 07, 2022 at 5:00 AM
Bad moon rising Bad moon rising

Born on this day in 1887 soprano Maria Jeritza.

on October 06, 2022 at 8:00 AM
Crossing over Crossing over

On this day in 1996 Mirella Freni took on the title role in the Metropolitan Opera’s new production of Fedora.

on October 05, 2022 at 5:45 AM
Together again for the first time Together again for the first time

On this day in 1966 Birgit Nilsson and Franco Corelli sang Turandot in the new Metropolitan Opera house at Lincoln Center where, according to reports, they were louder than ever.

on October 03, 2022 at 6:25 PM
What we do in the shadows What we do in the shadows

On this day in 1966 the Metropolitan Opera offered the company premiere of Die Frau ohne Schatten.

on October 02, 2022 at 8:00 AM
Full chested Full chested

On this day in 1976 mezzo-soprano Elena Obraztsova made her first Metropolitan Opera appearance as part of the “Met Marathon” fundraising gala.

on October 01, 2022 at 8:00 AM
Blue skies smiling at me Blue skies smiling at me

On this day in 1996 the Metropolitan Opera opened its season with a revival of Andrea Chenier starring Luciano Pavarotti and Maria Guleghina.

on September 30, 2022 at 8:00 AM
Lost without your love Lost without your love

On this day in 2003 the Metropolitan Opera opened its season with a revival of La traviata featuring Renée Fleming.

on September 29, 2022 at 8:00 AM
In the midnight tower In the midnight tower

On this day in 2011, the Metropolitan Opera opened its season with a new production of Anna Bolena.

on September 28, 2022 at 8:00 AM
Ex machina Ex machina

On this day in 2010, the Metropolitan Opera opened it season with Das Rheingold, the first installment in the catastrophic Robert Lepage production of the Ring.

on September 27, 2022 at 8:00 AM
Royal treatment Royal treatment

On this day in 1983 the Metropolitan Opera opened its season with a revival of Les Troyens, featuring the company debut of soprano Jessye Norman.

on September 26, 2022 at 8:00 AM
Old wine in old bottles Old wine in old bottles

On this day in 2012 the Metropolitan Opera opened its season with a “new” production of L’Elisir d’amore.

on September 24, 2022 at 1:00 AM
Nothing held back Nothing held back

On this day in 1985 the Metropolitan Opera opened its season with a gala revival of Tosca starring Montserrat Caballé and Luciano Pavarotti.

on September 23, 2022 at 8:00 AM