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.

From an unknown woman From an unknown woman

On this day in 1992 soprano Deborah Polaski made her Met debut as Kundry.

By on April 09, 2021 at 9:03 AM
64 comments
Hush now, don’t explain Hush now, don’t explain

Born on this day in 1915 singer, songwriter and actress Billie Holiday.

By on April 07, 2021 at 8:00 AM
27 comments
Sens and sensibility Sens and sensibility

Born on this day in 1900 soprano Gina Cigna.

By on April 06, 2021 at 8:00 AM
25 comments
Mortal combat Mortal combat

Happy 60th birthday soprano Anna Caterina Antonacci.

By on April 05, 2021 at 8:00 AM
62 comments
“I like to sing love songs” “I like to sing love songs”

Born on this day 99 years ago, actress and singer Doris Day.

By on April 03, 2021 at 12:18 PM
7 comments
Wie dünkt mich doch die Aue heut so schön! Wie dünkt mich doch die Aue heut so schön!

Good Friday 2021.

By on April 02, 2021 at 8:00 AM
35 comments
That same old voodoo That same old voodoo

Happy 92nd birthday actress and singer Jane Powell.

By on April 01, 2021 at 8:00 AM
22 comments
Behind the mask Behind the mask

Born on this day in 1911 soprano Elisabeth Grümmer.

By on March 31, 2021 at 10:26 AM
31 comments
Rotten, yet covered with roses Rotten, yet covered with roses

On this day day in 1970, the Betty Comden / Adolph Green / Charles Strouse / Lee Adams musical Applause opened at the Palace Theatre, to run 896 performances. Lauren Bacall starred as Margo Channing.

By on March 30, 2021 at 11:28 AM
64 comments
I can hold my head up high I can hold my head up high

Born on this day in 1918 actress and singer Pearl Bailey.

By on March 29, 2021 at 5:27 AM
16 comments
Something here inside cannot be denied Something here inside cannot be denied

Born on this day in 1921 actor Dirk Bogarde.

By on March 28, 2021 at 1:33 PM
21 comments
The lion’s bride The lion’s bride

Born on this day in 1899 actress, producer and entrepreneuse Gloria Swanson.

By on March 27, 2021 at 9:39 AM
33 comments
The greatest star The greatest star

On this day in 1964 the Jule Styne–Bob Merrill musical Funny Girl opened on Broadway.

By on March 26, 2021 at 8:31 AM
66 comments
Things that are just a little more glamorous Things that are just a little more glamorous

Happy 82nd birthday to designer Bob Mackie.

By on March 24, 2021 at 4:30 AM
8 comments
I can be very objectionable I can be very objectionable

Born on this day in 1904 definitive film star Joan Crawford.

By on March 23, 2021 at 9:13 AM
12 comments
A blessing and a curse A blessing and a curse

Born on this day in 1912, the protean Martha Mödl.

By on March 22, 2021 at 10:00 AM
13 comments
It might as well be spring It might as well be spring

Happy vernal equinox!

By on March 20, 2021 at 7:14 AM
34 comments
You maid me love you You maid me love you

On this day in 1963, the musical Tovarich opened at the Broadway Theatre, starring Vivien Leigh and Jean Pierre Aumont.

By on March 18, 2021 at 3:23 AM
77 comments
“A vocal artist out of the ordinary” “A vocal artist out of the ordinary”

On this day in 1951 soprano Victoria de los Angeles made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Marguerite.

By on March 17, 2021 at 9:01 AM
52 comments
Western star Western star

Happy 92nd birthday soprano Antonietta Stella.

By on March 15, 2021 at 10:04 AM
25 comments
Nur Weinen war sie, Schmerzgebaren Nur Weinen war sie, Schmerzgebaren

On this day in 1991 the Metropolitan Opera presented a new production of Parsifal directed by Otto Schenk and conducted by James Levine.

By on March 14, 2021 at 4:47 AM
17 comments
La vie en Roz La vie en Roz

Born on this day in 1930 mezzo-soprano Rosalind Elias.

By on March 13, 2021 at 8:00 AM
9 comments
“My name is Liza, and that’s my hair” “My name is Liza, and that’s my hair”

Happy 75th birthday to actress, singer and dancer Liza Minnelli.

By on March 12, 2021 at 7:02 AM
34 comments
The beetle bugs are zooming The beetle bugs are zooming

On this day in 1954 John LaTouche‘s The Golden Apple began performances Off-Broadway at the Phoenix Theatre.

By on March 11, 2021 at 7:11 AM
15 comments