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.

“Forever is a very long time” “Forever is a very long time”

Born on this day in 1901 authoress Barbara Cartland.

By on July 09, 2022 at 8:13 AM
8 comments
“Beautiful things comfort” “Beautiful things comfort”

Happy 71st birthday actress, director and producer Anjelica Huston.

By on July 08, 2022 at 6:36 AM
58 comments
“I was a stage-struck kid” “I was a stage-struck kid”

Born on this day in 1899 film director George Cukor.

By on July 07, 2022 at 4:27 AM
15 comments
Serenade Serenade

Born on this day in 1931 chanteuse and actress Della Reese.

By on July 06, 2022 at 6:08 AM
19 comments
Learning to be human Learning to be human

Born on this day in 1936 actress Shirley Knight.

By on July 05, 2022 at 12:52 AM
142 comments
My epiglottis filled him with glee My epiglottis filled him with glee

Born on this day in 1898, vastly talented actress and singer Gertrude Lawrence.

By on July 04, 2022 at 4:20 AM
54 comments
“Riches, the dumb god” “Riches, the dumb god”

On this day in 1964, the legendary Bert Lahr opened in a new musical, Foxy, which sadly ran only 72 performances.

By on July 02, 2022 at 3:07 AM
27 comments
Troubles fly away Troubles fly away

Born on this day in 1917 actress Susan Hayward.

By on June 30, 2022 at 1:55 AM
17 comments
“I’m usually told how happy I am” “I’m usually told how happy I am”

On this day in 1956 actress Marilyn Monroe married playwright Arthur Miller.

By on June 29, 2022 at 2:46 AM
15 comments
“I was never an ingenue” “I was never an ingenue”

Happy 74th birthday to actress and occasional songstress Kathy Bates.

By on June 28, 2022 at 8:00 AM
25 comments
La Bellissima La Bellissima

Born on this day in 1932 soprano Anna Moffo.

By on June 27, 2022 at 8:00 AM
84 comments
Horse whisperer Horse whisperer

Born on this day in 1922 actress Eleanor Parker.

By on June 26, 2022 at 2:00 AM
11 comments
“Opera is big and scary” “Opera is big and scary”

Happy 82nd birthday to soprano and actress Mary Beth Peil.

By on June 25, 2022 at 8:00 AM
23 comments
She’s way ahead She’s way ahead

Happy 80th birthday actress and singer Michele Lee.

By on June 24, 2022 at 1:52 PM
18 comments
Of dreamless ease fled she Of dreamless ease fled she

Born on this day in 1916 actress Irene Worth.

By on June 23, 2022 at 8:00 AM
33 comments
“Pain and danger and fear” “Pain and danger and fear”

Happy 90th birthday to actress Prunella Scales.

By on June 22, 2022 at 8:00 AM
29 comments
“I hated the whole idea of being an actress” “I hated the whole idea of being an actress”

Born on this day in 1921 actress and singer Judy Holliday.

By on June 21, 2022 at 2:30 AM
19 comments
On the make On the make

Born on this day in 1911 actress Gail Patrick.

By on June 20, 2022 at 8:00 AM
10 comments
How high How high

Born on this day in 1912 soprano Virginia MacWatters.

By on June 19, 2022 at 11:16 AM
19 comments
The night is romantic and I am alone The night is romantic and I am alone

Born on this day in 1903 actress and soprano Jeanette MacDonald.

By on June 18, 2022 at 8:00 AM
25 comments
Al fresco Al fresco

On this day in 1967 Barbra Streisand performed A Happening in Central Park.

By on June 17, 2022 at 9:17 AM
28 comments
Song of my homeland Song of my homeland

Born on this day in 1910 actress Ilona Massey.

By on June 16, 2022 at 8:00 AM
26 comments
“Why do people have to love people anyway?” “Why do people have to love people anyway?”

On this day in 1960 the film The Apartment premiered in New York City.

By on June 15, 2022 at 9:04 AM
52 comments
Thousand yard stair Thousand yard stair

On this day the revue New Faces of 1956 opened at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre, featuring an eclectic collection of talent including Maggie Smith, Jane Connell, Tiger Haynes, John Reardon, Bill McCutcheon and Inga Swenson.

By on June 14, 2022 at 8:09 AM
32 comments