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.
Born on this day in 1896 actress and singer Ethel Waters.
Born on this day in 1896 actress and screenwriter Ruth Gordon.
On this day in 1956 La Divina made her Metropolitan Opera debut.
Born on this day in 1902 actress and what-have-you Elsa Lanchester.
Born on this day in 1920 actress, singer and dancer Nanette Fabray.
Born on this day in 1927 actress and singer Barbara Cook.
Born on this day in 1882 actress Sybil Thorndike.
Born on this day 100 years ago soprano Denise Duval.
Born on this day in 1904 actress Constance Bennett.
Born on this day in 1924 cabaret goddess Julie Wilson.
Born on this day in 1907 actress and television personality Arlene Francis.
Born on this day in 1914 actress Juanita Moore.
Born on this day in 1898 actress and singer Lotte Lenya.
Born on this day in 1918 actress Rita Hayworth.
Happy 96th birthday to actress and treasure Dame Angela Lansbury.
Happy 84th birthday actress Linda Lavin.
Born on this day in 1893 actress Lillian Gish.
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 1906 actress Janet Gaynor.
Born on this day in 1907 novelty singer Mrs. Miller.
Happy 65th birthday actor Christoph Waltz.
Tell us: What was the best of 2025?
Parterre Box concludes the thrilling first year of Talk of the Town by inviting your lightning rod opinions on several more categories of operatic argumentation.
