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 am not a sad clown” “I am not a sad clown”

Born on this day in 1956 actor Nathan Lane.

By on February 03, 2022 at 11:08 AM
17 comments
I was reading Schopenhauer last night I was reading Schopenhauer last night

Born on this day in 1925 actress and singer Elaine Stritch.

By on February 02, 2022 at 10:20 AM
77 comments
Miss Sold Out Miss Sold Out

Today is the 100th anniversary of the birth of soprano Renata Tebaldi.

By on February 01, 2022 at 10:07 AM
126 comments
Celebrity of the Year Celebrity of the Year

Born on this day actresses Carol Channing (1921) and Tallulah Bankhead (1902).

By on January 31, 2022 at 10:25 AM
33 comments
“Theater helps people keep sane” “Theater helps people keep sane”

Happy 85th birthday to actress and activist Dame Vanessa Redgrave.

By on January 30, 2022 at 9:27 AM
62 comments
Charity is in love Charity is in love

On this day in 1966 the musical Sweet Charity opened at the Palace Theatre, with Gwen Verdon and Bob Fosse collaborating.

By on January 29, 2022 at 10:44 AM
20 comments
“Hope costs nothing” “Hope costs nothing”

Born on this day in 1873 author and woman of letters Colette.

By on January 28, 2022 at 8:26 AM
114 comments
It begins tonight It begins tonight

On this day in 1961: the historic Metropolitan Opera debuts of Leontyne Price and Franco Corelli in Verdi’s Il trovatore.

By on January 27, 2022 at 7:44 AM
24 comments
Plenty of security Plenty of security

Born on this day in 1923 actress and singer Anne Jeffreys.

By on January 26, 2022 at 8:50 AM
9 comments
We are family We are family

Premiered on this day in 1909 Richard Strauss‘s Elektra.

By on January 25, 2022 at 9:34 AM
33 comments
Madwoman Madwoman

Born on this day in 1883 actress Estelle Winwood.

By on January 24, 2022 at 8:56 AM
80 comments
“I do like to win” “I do like to win”

Happy 89th birthday to Broadway singer-dancer supreme Chita Rivera.

By on January 23, 2022 at 9:54 AM
38 comments
Grande dame Grande dame

Born on this day in 1878 actress and acting coach Constance Collier.

By on January 22, 2022 at 8:34 AM
52 comments
One of a kind One of a kind

Born on this day in 1926 bodybuilder and actor Steve Reeves.

By on January 21, 2022 at 2:02 AM
36 comments
“I think I was born stubborn” “I think I was born stubborn”

Born on this day in 1926 actress Patricia Neal.

By on January 20, 2022 at 7:43 AM
48 comments
O mother, where art thou? O mother, where art thou?

On this day in 1853 Verdi’s Il trovatore premiered in Rome.

By on January 19, 2022 at 3:12 AM
154 comments
I’m like a bird I’m like a bird

Happy 91st birthday actress Tippi Hedren.

By on January 18, 2022 at 2:35 AM
51 comments
“I’ve always been multicultural myself” “I’ve always been multicultural myself”

Born on this day in 1927 singer, actress, comedian, dancer and activist Eartha Kitt.

By on January 17, 2022 at 1:59 AM
107 comments
Nothing to hit but the heights Nothing to hit but the heights

Born on this day in 1908 actress and singer Ethel Merman.

By on January 16, 2022 at 3:04 AM
135 comments
I am your Bebe now I am your Bebe now

Born on this day in 1901 actress, singer, dancer, writer and producer Bebe Daniels.

By on January 14, 2022 at 10:29 AM
78 comments
Mademoiselle will do Mademoiselle will do

Born on this day in 1905 actress Kay Francis.

By on January 13, 2022 at 12:42 AM
42 comments
Weep no more, my lady Weep no more, my lady

Born on this day 1910 impossibly difficult actress Luise Rainer.

By on January 12, 2022 at 6:30 AM
58 comments
Electrifying Electrifying

On this day in 1934 soprano Lotte Lehmann made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Sieglinde.

By on January 11, 2022 at 4:07 PM
35 comments
Young as we are Young as we are

Born on this day in 1939 actor Sal Mineo.

By on January 10, 2022 at 8:00 AM
96 comments