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.

I’m the greatest star I’m the greatest star

Born on this day in 1899 film diva and entrepreneuse Gloria Swanson.

By on March 27, 2022 at 8:59 AM
40 comments
Human nature Human nature

Born on this day in 1921 actress Simone Signoret.

By on March 25, 2022 at 9:09 AM
26 comments
The Sultan of Sequins The Sultan of Sequins

Born on this day in 1940 designer Bob Mackie.

By on March 24, 2022 at 8:08 AM
33 comments
“I am just too much” “I am just too much”

Born on this day in 1904(!) actress Joan Crawford.

By on March 23, 2022 at 8:01 AM
18 comments
Daughter of the wind Daughter of the wind

Happy 72nd birthday actress, director and screenwriter Fanny Ardant.

By on March 22, 2022 at 9:55 AM
29 comments
La peau douce La peau douce

Born on this day in 1942 actress Françoise Dorléac.

By on March 21, 2022 at 9:42 AM
95 comments
Some sunny day Some sunny day

Born on this day in 1917 English songstress Dame Vera Lynn.

By on March 20, 2022 at 3:38 AM
11 comments
“Ursula Undress” “Ursula Undress”

Happy 86th birthday actress Ursula Andress.

By on March 19, 2022 at 8:00 AM
36 comments
A lady has responsibilities A lady has responsibilities

Happy 58th birthday to actress and singer Vanessa Williams.

By on March 18, 2022 at 7:42 AM
8 comments
You will see her dance You will see her dance

Born on this day in 1906 actress Brigitte Helm.

By on March 17, 2022 at 8:00 AM
26 comments
An adventuress An adventuress

On this day in 1914 female impersonator Julian Eltinge opened in The Crinoline Girl at the Knickerbocker Theatre.

By on March 16, 2022 at 9:07 AM
19 comments
Just don’t cry for love Just don’t cry for love

Born on this day in 1907 controversial actress and singer Zarah Leander.

By on March 15, 2022 at 9:15 AM
31 comments
She was lazing around her bedroom She was lazing around her bedroom

Born on this day in 1943 actress, singer and dancer Anita Morris.

By on March 14, 2022 at 8:00 AM
19 comments
It’s in her kiss It’s in her kiss

Happy 73rd birthday soprano Julia Migenes.

By on March 13, 2022 at 3:45 AM
43 comments
With a Z With a Z

Happy 76th birthday to the one and only Miss Liza Minnelli.

By on March 12, 2022 at 1:00 AM
31 comments
“No good deed goes unpunished” “No good deed goes unpunished”

Born on this day in 1903 author, politician, U.S. ambassador and public conservative figure Clare Boothe Luce.

By on March 10, 2022 at 8:31 AM
52 comments
“The first chapter sells the book” “The first chapter sells the book”

Born on this day in 1918 “hard-boiled” crime novelist Mickey Spillane.

By on March 09, 2022 at 2:17 AM
161 comments
Beautiful dynamite Beautiful dynamite

Born on this say in 1922 actress and dancer Cyd Charisse.

By on March 08, 2022 at 11:22 AM
6 comments
Swing! Dig the rhythm! Swing! Dig the rhythm!

Born on this day in 1959 Broadway diva Donna Murphy.

By on March 07, 2022 at 10:55 AM
21 comments
“Opera is for a lifetime” “Opera is for a lifetime”

Happy 78th birthday soprano Kiri Te Kanawa.

By on March 06, 2022 at 1:46 PM
201 comments
“To scandalize is a right” “To scandalize is a right”

Born on this day in 1922 actor, director, and screenwriter Pier Paolo Pasolini.

By on March 05, 2022 at 12:55 PM
74 comments
All the world over, so easy to see All the world over, so easy to see

Born on this day in 1934 singer and actress Barbara McNair.

By on March 04, 2022 at 8:00 AM
27 comments
Love is blonde Love is blonde

Born on this day in 1911 actress Jean Harlow.

By on March 03, 2022 at 8:00 AM
39 comments
The mighty monarch of all melodramas The mighty monarch of all melodramas

On this day in 1933 the film King Kong premiered simultaneously at Radio City Music Hall and the RKO Roxy.

By on March 02, 2022 at 10:10 AM
65 comments