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.

One of a kind One of a kind

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

By 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 January 10, 2022 at 8:00 AM
96 comments
Lovely wonderful thoughts Lovely wonderful thoughts

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

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

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

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

Born on this day in 1923 the ineffable Valentina Cortese.

By 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 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 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 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 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 December 26, 2021 at 7:54 AM
38 comments