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.
Born on this day in 1887 soprano Maria Jeritza.
On this day in 1996 Mirella Freni took on the title role in the Metropolitan Opera’s new production of Fedora.
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 this day in 1966 the Metropolitan Opera offered the company premiere of Die Frau ohne Schatten.
On this day in 1976 mezzo-soprano Elena Obraztsova made her first Metropolitan Opera appearance as part of the “Met Marathon” fundraising gala.
On this day in 1996 the Metropolitan Opera opened its season with a revival of Andrea Chenier starring Luciano Pavarotti and Maria Guleghina.
On this day in 2003 the Metropolitan Opera opened its season with a revival of La traviata featuring Renée Fleming.
On this day in 2011, the Metropolitan Opera opened its season with a new production of Anna Bolena.
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 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 this day in 2012 the Metropolitan Opera opened its season with a “new” production of L’Elisir d’amore.
On this day in 1985 the Metropolitan Opera opened its season with a gala revival of Tosca starring Montserrat Caballé and Luciano Pavarotti.
On this day in 2008 designers Christian Lacroix, Karl Lagerfeld and John Galliano took turns draping frocks on Renée Fleming for a gala opening night at the Metropolitan Opera.
On this day in 1972 the Metropolitan Opera opened its season with a new production of Carmen.
On this day in 1971 the Metropolitan Opera opened the final season of the Rudolf Bing regime with a revival of Don Carlo.
On this day in 1968 the Metropolitan Opera season opened with a revival of Adriana Lecouvreur featuring Renata Tebaldi and Franco Corelli.
Born on this day in 1905 actress Greta Garbo.
Born on this day in 1925 actress and songstress Dorothy Loudon.
Born on this day in 1924 actress and coffee connoisseur Lauren Bacall.
Born on this day in 1945 soprano Jessye Norman.
Born on this day in 1933 actress Zoe Caldwell.
Happy 91st birthday actress Barbara Bain.
Born on this day in 1888 French entertainer Maurice Chevalier.
Happy 80th birthday to triple threat Lola Falana.
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.
