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.

“A valiant if not completely successful attempt” “A valiant if not completely successful attempt”

On this day in 1986, the Metropolitan Opera opened its season with a new production of Wagner’s Die Walküre.

By on September 22, 2021 at 11:06 AM
19 comments
Calling cards Calling cards

On this day in 1968 mezzo-soprano Shirley Verrett made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Carmen.

By on September 21, 2021 at 10:10 AM
94 comments
All the same All the same

Happy 87th birthday actress Sophia Loren.

By on September 20, 2021 at 8:47 AM
29 comments
Rex appeal Rex appeal

Happy 66th birthday to actor, singer and babe Rex Smith.

By on September 19, 2021 at 9:03 AM
26 comments
Golden age Golden age

Happy birthday to soprano Anna Netrebko, who turns 50 today.

By on September 18, 2021 at 8:00 AM
118 comments
Dotty, love, you’ve been playing this kind of part for… Dotty, love, you’ve been playing this kind of part for…

Born on this day in 1925 Broadway diva Dorothy Loudon.

By on September 17, 2021 at 7:58 AM
31 comments
Il crepuscolo della dea Il crepuscolo della dea

Left this world on this day 44 years ago in Paris.

By on September 16, 2021 at 6:00 AM
53 comments
“I never set out to be a diva” “I never set out to be a diva”

Born on this day in 1933 actress Zoe Caldwell.

By on September 14, 2021 at 9:34 AM
24 comments
Hey there Hey there

Happy 54th birthday Harry Connick Jr..

By on September 11, 2021 at 4:19 AM
7 comments
In difficult times fashion is always outrageous In difficult times fashion is always outrageous

Born on this day in 1890 designer Elsa Schiaparelli.

By on September 10, 2021 at 9:12 AM
117 comments
I was always Sylvia I was always Sylvia

Born on this day in 1924 actress Sylvia Miles.

By on September 09, 2021 at 6:26 AM
21 comments
This nearly was mime This nearly was mime

Born on this day in 1910 actor and director Jean-Louis Barrault.

By on September 08, 2021 at 4:00 AM
32 comments
I ain’t the sentimental kind I ain’t the sentimental kind

On this day in 1949 Mae West headlined a revival of her most famous play, Diamond Lil, which she first played more than 20 years earlier.

By on September 07, 2021 at 4:33 AM
20 comments
Miss me blonde Miss me blonde

Happy 61st birthday soprano Karita Mattila.

By on September 05, 2021 at 12:51 AM
113 comments
Old school Old school

Born on this day in 1910 singer, actress and arts advocate Kitty Carlisle Hart.

By on September 03, 2021 at 2:02 AM
158 comments
Rainy day Rainy day

Happy 93rd birthday actor and dreamboat George Maharis.

By on September 01, 2021 at 10:54 AM
48 comments
The slave who would be empress The slave who would be empress

On this day in 1056 Byzantine Empress Theodora died childless, thus ending the Macedonian dynasty.

By on August 31, 2021 at 11:24 AM
49 comments
Forget your sympathy Forget your sympathy

Born on this day in 1906 actress Joan Blondell.

By on August 30, 2021 at 8:00 AM
47 comments
“I never thought of myself as a type” “I never thought of myself as a type”

Born on this day in 1930 Ben Gazzara.

By on August 28, 2021 at 8:00 AM
7 comments
Going strong Going strong

Born on this day in 1916 actress, comedian and singer Martha Raye.

By on August 27, 2021 at 8:00 AM
11 comments
I only have eyes for you I only have eyes for you

Born on this day in 1909 actress, dancer and singer Ruby Keeler.

By on August 25, 2021 at 11:13 AM
14 comments
Listen to the sound of the city Listen to the sound of the city

Happy 63rd birthday actor Steve Guttenberg.

By on August 24, 2021 at 8:00 AM
8 comments
This time I know it’s for reel This time I know it’s for reel

Happy 67th birthday to the ineffable actor, screenwriter, playwright, female impersonator and memoirist Charles Busch.

By on August 23, 2021 at 9:28 AM
51 comments
Who is Sylva? Who is Sylva?

Born on this day in 1933 actress Sylva Koscina.

By on August 22, 2021 at 11:03 AM
12 comments