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.


No minor talent No minor talent

On this day in 1982 the Metropolitan Opera revisited its controversial season-opener Norma.

on February 08, 2023 at 6:00 AM
“Assuredly not a sensation” “Assuredly not a sensation”

On this day in 1928 soprano Grace Moore made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Mimi.

on February 07, 2023 at 6:00 AM
The most exciting artist The most exciting artist

On this day in 1959, soprano Leonie Rysanek made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Lady Macbeth.

on February 05, 2023 at 9:00 PM
Sexy package Sexy package

On this day in 2006 tenor Jonas Kaufmann made his Metropolitan Opera debut as Alfredo.

on February 04, 2023 at 6:00 AM
Miss Nilsson did all the right things Miss Nilsson did all the right things

On this day in 1965 the Metropolitan Opera presented a new production of Salome.

on February 03, 2023 at 6:00 AM
She is legend She is legend

Happy 86th birthday soprano Martina Arroyo.

on February 02, 2023 at 6:00 AM
A whole can of worms A whole can of worms

On this day in 1979 the Metropolitan Opera presented a new production of Verdi’s Don Carlo.

on February 01, 2023 at 6:00 AM
“Il vostro fato è in vostra mano!” “Il vostro fato è in vostra mano!”

On this day in 1974 Verdi’s I Vespri Siciliani had its Metropolitan Opera stage premiere.

on January 31, 2023 at 6:00 AM
Late riser Late riser

On this day in 1957 soprano Martha Modl made her Metropolitan Opera debut as the Siegfried Brünnhilde.

on January 30, 2023 at 6:00 AM
Your mother should know Your mother should know

On this day in 1977 the Metropolitan Opera broadcast its new production of Meyerbeer’s Le Prophète.

on January 29, 2023 at 6:00 AM
The royal purple of sovereign glory The royal purple of sovereign glory

On this day in 1903, the Metropolitan Opera presented the company premiere of Verdi’s Ernani.

on January 28, 2023 at 6:00 AM
Everyone sang out Everyone sang out

On this day in 1961 the Metropolitan Opera presented the historic debuts of Leontyne Price and Franco Corelli in Verdi’s Il trovatore.

on January 27, 2023 at 9:36 AM
Touch of evil Touch of evil

On this day in day in 1973 the Metropolitan Opera revived Verdi’s Macbeth with Martina Arroyo and Sherrill Milnes.

on January 26, 2023 at 8:58 AM
Eloquent and finished singing Eloquent and finished singing

On this day in 1961 baritone Eberhard Wächter made his Metropolitan Opera debut as Wolfram in Tannhäuser.

on January 25, 2023 at 6:00 AM
Sharp divisions of opinion Sharp divisions of opinion

On this day in 1958 soprano Inge Borkh made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Salome.

on January 24, 2023 at 9:45 AM
Beyond reasonable limits Beyond reasonable limits

On this day in 1953 soprano Herva Nelli made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Aida.

on January 23, 2023 at 8:27 AM
For the gods For the gods

Born on this day in 1897 soprano Rosa Ponselle.

on January 22, 2023 at 11:29 AM
To live extravagantly To live extravagantly

On this day in 1963 (much against Rudolf Bing‘s will) the Metropolitan Opera presented a new production of Adriana Lecouvreur.

on January 21, 2023 at 6:00 AM
A delightful one A delightful one

On this ray in 1932, soprano Göta Ljungberg made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Sieglinde.

on January 20, 2023 at 9:50 AM
Wild bird Wild bird

On this day in 2017, Clémentine Margaine made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Carmen.

on January 19, 2023 at 3:57 AM
Dazzling both ways Dazzling both ways

On this day in 1978 the Metropolitan Opera presented a new production of Massenet’s Thaïs.

on January 18, 2023 at 6:00 AM
Tears of a clown Tears of a clown

On this day in 1960 tenor Jon Vickers made his Metropolitan Opera debut as Canio.

on January 17, 2023 at 10:28 AM
Behind closed doors Behind closed doors

On this day in 1989, the Metropolitan Opera presented a new production of the double bill of Bluebeard’s Castle and Erwartung.

on January 16, 2023 at 4:58 AM
Winter meeting Winter meeting

On this day in 1958 Samuel Barber‘s Vanessa had its world premiere at the Metropolitan Opera.

on January 15, 2023 at 8:43 AM
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