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.

Sail thou forth to seek and find Sail thou forth to seek and find

Born on this day in 1888 composer Max Steiner.

By on March 10, 2021 at 8:39 AM
32 comments
The broken idol The broken idol

On this day in 1842, Verdi’s Nabucco had its premiere in Milan.

By on March 09, 2021 at 8:00 AM
5 comments
Bei momenti di dolcezza e di piacer Bei momenti di dolcezza e di piacer

Happy 77th birthday soprano Kiri Te Kanawa.

By on March 06, 2021 at 3:12 AM
87 comments
We’ll make the whole world small! We’ll make the whole world small!

Born on this day in 1888 actress Rafaela Ottiano.

By on March 04, 2021 at 8:00 AM
9 comments
In complete authority In complete authority

On this day in 1970 mezzo-soprano Marilyn Horne made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Adalgisa.

By on March 03, 2021 at 8:00 AM
56 comments
Merely an obsolete art Merely an obsolete art

Born on this day in 1900 composer Kurt Weill.

By on March 02, 2021 at 2:31 PM
10 comments
“Even you, Mrs. Lovett, even I!” “Even you, Mrs. Lovett, even I!”

On this day in 1979 Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler‘s Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street opens at the Uris Theatre, to run 557 performances.

By on March 01, 2021 at 8:00 AM
19 comments
Pounding Forty-Second Street Pounding Forty-Second Street

Happy 73rd birthday to Broadway diva Bernadette Peters.

By on February 28, 2021 at 8:00 AM
12 comments
“You lose a lot of time, hating people” “You lose a lot of time, hating people”

Born on this day in 1899 contralto Marian Anderson.

By on February 27, 2021 at 8:00 AM
22 comments
He who does not weep does not see He who does not weep does not see

Born on this day in 1802 author and playwright Victor Hugo.

By on February 26, 2021 at 1:24 AM
10 comments
More than a diva More than a diva

Happy 87th birthday soprano Renata Scotto.

By on February 24, 2021 at 11:39 AM
11 comments
Dreaming of the queen Dreaming of the queen

Born on this day in 1927 soprano Régine Crespin.

By on February 23, 2021 at 8:00 AM
45 comments
Lo Spippolo Lo Spippolo

Born on this day in 1921 actress Giulietta Masina.

By on February 22, 2021 at 8:33 AM
10 comments
To love and be loved To love and be loved

Born on this day in 1911 or so actress Merle Oberon.

By on February 19, 2021 at 8:00 AM
3 comments
Grandeur Grandeur

Born on this day in 1926 mezzo-soprano Rita Gorr.

By on February 18, 2021 at 8:36 AM
16 comments
“Growls, shouts, groans, laughter, giggling” “Growls, shouts, groans, laughter, giggling”

On this day in 1904 Puccini’s Madama Butterfly had its disastrous premiere in Milan. Three years later, though…

By on February 17, 2021 at 10:17 AM
18 comments
Lucky star Lucky star

Born on this day in 1908 ur-belter Ethel Merman.

By on February 16, 2021 at 9:14 AM
31 comments
Golden wings Golden wings

On this day in 588 BC Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon laid siege to Jerusalem under Zedekiah’s reign.

By on February 15, 2021 at 8:27 AM
46 comments
Stars will stop where they are Stars will stop where they are

Happy Valentine’s Day!

By on February 14, 2021 at 8:36 AM
67 comments
Only one is a wanderer Only one is a wanderer

Happy 88th birthday to actress Kim Novak.

By on February 13, 2021 at 8:00 AM
67 comments
A touch of the poet A touch of the poet

Born on this day in 1925 actress Kim Stanley.

By on February 11, 2021 at 6:49 AM
14 comments
Bananas is her business Bananas is her business

Born on this day in 1909 samba singer, dancer, Broadway actress and film star Carmen Miranda.

By on February 09, 2021 at 4:23 AM
41 comments
Radiant wonder Radiant wonder

Happy 34th birthday to soprano Lise Davidsen!

By on February 08, 2021 at 4:36 AM
47 comments
Debutante Debutante

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

By on February 07, 2021 at 2:40 AM
29 comments