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.
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Happy 96th birthday to actress and treasure Dame Angela Lansbury.
Born on this day in 1932 actress, dancer and singer Liliane Montevecchi.
Born on this day composer Giuseppe Verdi (1813) and soprano Leyla Gencer (1924).
On this day in 1947 High Button Shoes opened at the Century Theatre, to run 727 performances.
On this day in 1965 mezzo-soprano Grace Bumbry made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Eboli.
Born on this day in 1858 actress Eleonora Duse.
Happy 83rd birthday to critic and occasional performer Rex Reed.
Happy 86th birthday actress and songstress Julie Andrews!
On this day in 1996 the Metropolitan Opera opened its season with a revival of Andrea Chénier.
On this day in 2003 the Metropolitan Opera opened with a revival of La traviata featuring Renée Fleming as Violetta.
Happy 87th birthday to actress, singer and animal rights activist Brigitte Bardot.
On this day in 2010, the Metropolitan Opera opened with a new production of Das Rheingold.
On this day in 1983 the Metropolitan Opera opened its season with a revival of Les Troyens featuring the company debut of Jessye Norman.
On this day in 1989 General Manager Hugh Southern (not pictured) celebrated his only opening night (he resigned in May 1990).
On this day in 2007 the Metropolitan Opera opened its season with a new production of Lucia di Lammermoor directed by Mary Zimmerman and starring Natalie Dessay.
On this day in 1974 the Metropolitan Opera opened its season with a performance perhaps most notable for who was not present: Montserrat Caballé canceled her own opening night.
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Sponsored
Win tickets to Piotr Beczala at Carnegie Hall!
pb—with our friends at Carnegie Hall—is giving away two tickets to PB’s December concert. Enter now!
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