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.

Lovely wonderful thoughts Lovely wonderful thoughts

On this dayin 1956 an encore live TV presentation of Peter Pan starred Mary Martin.

By on January 09, 2022 at 2:42 PM
120 comments
“You just have to think naked” “You just have to think naked”

Born on this day in 1911 ecdysiast Gypsy Rose Lee.

By on January 08, 2022 at 3:21 PM
160 comments
Enter, stage right Enter, stage right

Born on this day in 1913 actress and clothes horse Loretta Young.

By on January 06, 2022 at 8:00 AM
238 comments
Queen bee Queen bee

Also on this day in 1977 soprano Edita Gruberova made her Met debut as the Queen of the Night.

By on January 05, 2022 at 1:05 PM
102 comments
A fine romance A fine romance

Happy 85th birthday soprano/mezzo-soprano Grace Bumbry.

By on January 04, 2022 at 11:27 AM
24 comments
Not so dumb Not so dumb

Born on this day in 1897 actress Marion Davies.

By on January 03, 2022 at 1:16 PM
23 comments
On her toes On her toes

Born on this day ballerina and actress Vera Zorina.

By on January 02, 2022 at 10:12 AM
51 comments
Ancien Régime Ancien Régime

Born on this day in 1923 the ineffable Valentina Cortese.

By on January 01, 2022 at 11:34 AM
59 comments
The Panic is now on! The Panic is now on!

Born on this day in 1902 the one and only Tallulah Bankhead.

By on December 31, 2021 at 8:50 AM
12 comments
Redefining diva Redefining diva

Happy 64th birthday to actress, singer, author and activist Cheryl Lee Ralph.

By on December 30, 2021 at 6:49 AM
38 comments
The people ride in a hole in the ground The people ride in a hole in the ground

On this day in 1944 the Leonard Bernstein / Betty Comden / Adolph Green musical On the Town premiered on Broadway.

By on December 28, 2021 at 12:18 PM
37 comments
It’s not ’cause she couldn’t It’s not ’cause she couldn’t

Born on this day in 1901 actress and diseuse Marlene Dietrich.

By on December 27, 2021 at 7:28 AM
171 comments
Tower of Song Tower of Song

On this day in 1830 Donizetti’s Anna Bolena premiered in Milan.

By on December 26, 2021 at 7:54 AM
38 comments
Seen a lot, I mean a lot Seen a lot, I mean a lot

On this day in 1940, the wholesome family musical Pal Joey opened on Broadway.

By on December 25, 2021 at 7:00 AM
18 comments
Kid power Kid power

On this day in 1893 Humperdinck’s Hänsel und Gretel premiered in Weimar.

By on December 23, 2021 at 8:00 AM
25 comments
“Art is a kind of illness” “Art is a kind of illness”

Born on this day in 1858 composer Giacomo Puccini.

By on December 22, 2021 at 7:02 AM
84 comments
Quicksilver Quicksilver

Happy 84th birthday to actress, political activist, environmentalist, and former fashion model Jane Fonda.

By on December 21, 2021 at 6:38 AM
139 comments
La Serenata La Serenata

Born on this day in 1898 actress and singer Irene Dunne.

By on December 20, 2021 at 5:49 AM
23 comments
Grande dame Grande dame

Born on this day in 1888 actress Gladys Cooper.

By on December 18, 2021 at 8:00 AM
25 comments
I’m not a joke guy I’m not a joke guy

Born on this day in 1946 actor, director and screenwriter Eugene Levy.

By on December 17, 2021 at 7:45 AM
17 comments
She’s here She’s here

Born on this day in 1961 Broadway (and elsewhere) diva LaChanze.

By on December 16, 2021 at 3:31 PM
13 comments
Four boys to dance with Four boys to dance with

On this day in 1952 Bette Davis headlined the opening night of the Broadway revue Two’s Company.

By on December 15, 2021 at 9:54 AM
128 comments
“Too sexy for Italy” “Too sexy for Italy”

Born on this day in 1932 songstress Abbe Lane.

By on December 14, 2021 at 2:28 PM
52 comments
Low down Low down

Born on this day in 1910 songstress Lillian Roth.

By on December 13, 2021 at 2:39 PM
46 comments