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.

Specialization Specialization

Born on this day in 1926 Marilyn Monroe.

By on June 01, 2021 at 1:14 PM
60 comments
“Toujours la voix de tête” “Toujours la voix de tête”

Born on this day in 1879 (or, if you ask her, 1883) soprano Frances Alda.

By on May 31, 2021 at 2:05 AM
32 comments
Credo Credo

Born on this day in 1920 bass-baritone George London.

By on May 30, 2021 at 1:33 PM
4 comments
The show is on The show is on

Born on this day in 1894 actress, singer and comedic performer Beatrice Lillie.

By on May 29, 2021 at 2:22 AM
21 comments
I’d rather go blonde I’d rather go blonde

Happy 90th birthday actress Carroll Baker.

By on May 28, 2021 at 12:50 AM
8 comments
Fever with thy flaming youth Fever with thy flaming youth

Born on this day in 1920 singer-songwriter and actress Peggy Lee.

By on May 26, 2021 at 8:00 AM
19 comments
A cheerful woman A cheerful woman

Born on this day in 1929 soprano and administrator Beverly Sills.

By on May 25, 2021 at 8:00 AM
148 comments
Just sensational Just sensational

On this day in 1966 Angela Lansbury entered the annals of musical theater immortality when Jerry Herman‘s Mame opened on Broadway.

By on May 24, 2021 at 8:00 AM
17 comments
All my life with you All my life with you

Born on this day in 1928 singer Rosemary Clooney.

By on May 23, 2021 at 12:41 AM
12 comments
Mine own deformity Mine own deformity

Born on this day in 1907 actor, director and producer Laurence Olivier.

By on May 22, 2021 at 10:27 AM
6 comments
That lucky star I talk about is due That lucky star I talk about is due

On this day in 1959 Ethel Merman created the musical theater diva’s ultimate role: Madame Rose in Gypsy.

By on May 21, 2021 at 10:00 AM
56 comments
Yes, Icon Yes, Icon

Happy 75th birthday to singer, actress and icon Cher.

By on May 20, 2021 at 11:58 AM
28 comments
Two bass hit Two bass hit

Born on this day in 1892 bass Ezio Pinza…

By on May 18, 2021 at 9:35 AM
22 comments
Double diva day Double diva day

Born on this day in 1906 soprano Zinka Milanov…

By on May 17, 2021 at 8:12 AM
25 comments
“I love Russian composers!” “I love Russian composers!”

Born on this day in 1919 pianist and entertainer Liberace.

By on May 16, 2021 at 8:53 AM
49 comments
Condemned to life Condemned to life

Born on this day in 1898 actress, singer, and fashion model Arletty.

By on May 15, 2021 at 8:19 AM
19 comments
Private faces Private faces

Happy 87th birthday to actress and diseuse Siân Phillips.

By on May 14, 2021 at 8:10 AM
25 comments
Down in the depths Down in the depths

Born on this day in 1922 actress Bea Arthur.

By on May 13, 2021 at 7:40 AM
15 comments
“Without discipline, there’s no life at all” “Without discipline, there’s no life at all”

Born on this day in 1907 actress Katharine Hepburn.

By on May 12, 2021 at 8:00 AM
13 comments
Everything the traffic will allow Everything the traffic will allow

Born on this day in 1888 composer Irving Berlin.

By on May 11, 2021 at 2:39 AM
57 comments
“Do it big, do it right and do it with style” “Do it big, do it right and do it with style”

Born on this day in 1899, film and Broadway’s most elegant danseur, Fred Astaire.

By on May 10, 2021 at 5:35 AM
21 comments
Only one is a wanderer Only one is a wanderer

On this day in 1958 Alfred Hitchcock‘s psychological thriller Vertigo premiered in San Francisco.

By on May 09, 2021 at 7:08 AM
18 comments
Fly me to the moon Fly me to the moon

Happy birthday tenor Michael Fabiano.

By on May 08, 2021 at 4:30 AM
15 comments
“I’ve always been lucky” “I’ve always been lucky”

Forty years ago tonight, Elizabeth Taylor made her Broadway debut as Regina in The Little Foxes.

By on May 07, 2021 at 4:14 AM
37 comments