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.
On this day in 1975 the Metropolitan Opera presented the role debut of Régine Crespin as Carmen.
On this day in 1956 the Metropolitan Opera opened its season with Maria Callas in Norma.
On this day in 1966 the Metropolitan Opera presented a new production of Elektra.
On this day in September 27, 1988, the Metropolitan opera presented the company premiere of Giulio Cesare, starring Kathleen Battle and Tatiana Troyanos.
On this day in 1995 the Metropolitan Opera presented a new production of Pikovaya Dama, an evening which also provided a spectacular company debut for baritone Dmitri Hvorostovsky.
On this day in 1990 the Metropolitan Opera presented a new production of Un ballo in maschera.
On this day in 1960 the Metropolitan Opera opened its season with the company premiere of Nabucco.
On this day in 1961 Leontyne Price opened the Metropolitan Opera season in La fanciulla del West.
On this day in 1973 the Metropolitan Opera presented the company premiere of Les Troyens.
Happy 97th birthday soprano Virginia Zeani.
On this day in 2008 Anja Harteros sang her first Metropolitan Opera Violetta.
Born on this day in 1900 soprano Erna Berger.
On this day in 1975 the Metropolitan Opera revived La Gioconda with Martina Arroyo in the title role.
On this day in 1963 the Metropolitan Opera presented a new production of Manon starring Anna Moffo and Nicolai Gedda.
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 this day in 1962 the Metropolitan Opera opened its season with a revival of Andrea Chenier starring Franco Corelli and Eileen Farrell.
On this day in 1998 the Metropolitan Opera presented a new production of Le nozze di Figaro featuring Cecilia Bartoli as Susanna.
On this day in 1964 Elisabeth Schwarzkopf made her Metropolitan Opera debut as the Marschallin in Der Rosenkavalier.
On this day in 1964 the Metropolitan Opera opened its season with a new production of Lucia di Lammermoor.
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.
Born on this day composer Giuseppe Verdi (1813) and soprano Leyla Gencer (1924).
On this day in 1987 the Metropolitan Opera premiered a new production of Das Rheingold.
Born on this day in 1925 versatile mezzo-soprano Irene Dalis.
On this day in 1989 Dolora Zajick and Aprile Millo faced off in Aida at the Metropolitan Opera.
Tell us: What was the best of 2025?
Parterre Box concludes the thrilling first year of Talk of the Town by inviting your lightning rod opinions on several more categories of operatic argumentation.
