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.
On this day in 1973 the Metropolitan Opera presented the company premiere of Les Troyens.
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Happy 97th birthday soprano Virginia Zeani.
On this day in 2008 Anja Harteros sang her first Metropolitan Opera Violetta.
Born on this day in 1900 soprano Erna Berger.
On this day in 1975 the Metropolitan Opera revived La Gioconda with Martina Arroyo in the title role.
On this day in 1963 the Metropolitan Opera presented a new production of Manon starring Anna Moffo and Nicolai Gedda.
On this day in 1989 the Metropolitan Opera presented a new production of La traviata featuring Edita Gruberova conducted by Carlos Kleiber and directed by Franco Zeffirelli.
On this day in 1962 the Metropolitan Opera opened its season with a revival of Andrea Chenier starring Franco Corelli and Eileen Farrell.
On this day in 1998 the Metropolitan Opera presented a new production of Le nozze di Figaro featuring Cecilia Bartoli as Susanna.
On this day in 1964 Elisabeth Schwarzkopf made her Metropolitan Opera debut as the Marschallin in Der Rosenkavalier.
On this day in 1964 the Metropolitan Opera opened its season with a new production of Lucia di Lammermoor.
On this day in 1976, the Metropolitan Opera opened its season with a revival of Il trovatore starring Luciano Pavarotti, Renata Scotto, Shirley Verrett and Matteo Manuguerra.
Born on this day composer Giuseppe Verdi (1813) and soprano Leyla Gencer (1924).
On this day in 1987 the Metropolitan Opera premiered a new production of Das Rheingold.
Born on this day in 1925 versatile mezzo-soprano Irene Dalis.
On this day in 1989 Dolora Zajick and Aprile Millo faced off in Aida at the Metropolitan Opera.
Born on this day in 1887 soprano Maria Jeritza.
On this day in 1996 Mirella Freni took on the title role in the Metropolitan Opera’s new production of Fedora.
On this day in 1966 Birgit Nilsson and Franco Corelli sang Turandot in the new Metropolitan Opera house at Lincoln Center where, according to reports, they were louder than ever.
On this day in 1966 the Metropolitan Opera offered the company premiere of Die Frau ohne Schatten.
On this day in 1976 mezzo-soprano Elena Obraztsova made her first Metropolitan Opera appearance as part of the “Met Marathon” fundraising gala.
On this day in 1996 the Metropolitan Opera opened its season with a revival of Andrea Chenier starring Luciano Pavarotti and Maria Guleghina.
On this day in 2003 the Metropolitan Opera opened its season with a revival of La traviata featuring Renée Fleming.
On this day in 2011, the Metropolitan Opera opened its season with a new production of Anna Bolena.
