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 1929 composer Seymour Kaufman (better known as Cy Coleman).
Born on this day in 1926 funnyman Paul Lynde.
On this day in 1963 the spectacular and troubled film Cleopatra finally premiered.
Born on this day in 1913 mezzo-soprano Risë Stevens.
Born on this day in 1891 composer Cole Porter.
Happy 81st birthday to songstress Nancy Sinatra.
Born on this day in 1924 actress and singer Dolores Gray.
Born on this day in 1912, actress Maria Montez.
Happy 56th birthday soprano Sandrine Piau.
Born on this day in 1913 journalist and panelist Dorothy Kilgallen.
On this day in 1969 Renata Tebaldi and Franco Corelli opened the Met’s June Festival in Tosca.
Born on this day in 1926 Marilyn Monroe.
Born on this day in 1879 (or, if you ask her, 1883) soprano Frances Alda.
Born on this day in 1920 bass-baritone George London.
Born on this day in 1894 actress, singer and comedic performer Beatrice Lillie.
Happy 90th birthday actress Carroll Baker.
Born on this day in 1920 singer-songwriter and actress Peggy Lee.
Born on this day in 1929 soprano and administrator Beverly Sills.
On this day in 1966 Angela Lansbury entered the annals of musical theater immortality when Jerry Herman‘s Mame opened on Broadway.
Born on this day in 1928 singer Rosemary Clooney.
Born on this day in 1907 actor, director and producer Laurence Olivier.
On this day in 1959 Ethel Merman created the musical theater diva’s ultimate role: Madame Rose in Gypsy.
Happy 75th birthday to singer, actress and icon Cher.
Born on this day in 1892 bass Ezio Pinza…
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.
