“Growls, shouts, groans, laughter, giggling”
On this day in 1904 Puccini’s Madama Butterfly had its disastrous premiere in Milan. Three years later, though…
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.
Lucky star
Born on this day in 1908 ur-belter Ethel Merman.
Golden wings
On this day in 588 BC Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon laid siege to Jerusalem under Zedekiah’s reign.
Only one is a wanderer
Happy 88th birthday to actress Kim Novak.
A touch of the poet
Born on this day in 1925 actress Kim Stanley.
Bananas is her business
Born on this day in 1909 samba singer, dancer, Broadway actress and film star Carmen Miranda.
Radiant wonder
Happy 34th birthday to soprano Lise Davidsen!
Debutante
On this day in 1928 soprano Grace Moore made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Mimì.
The hero with no vices
Born on this day in 1899 actor Ramon Novarro.
“Sex and I have a lot in common”
On this day in 1949 the legendary Mae West revived her 1928 play Diamond Lil at the Coronet Theatre, playing (ça va sans dire) the title role.
The hard way
Born on this day in 1918 actress, director and producer Ida Lupino.
Half indoors and half out of doors
Born on this day in 1887 poet and expatriate Gertrude Stein.
Celestial voice
Happy 84th birthday soprano Martina Arroyo.
On the side of the angels
Born on this day in 1922 soprano Renata Tebaldi.
Metro-Goldwyn wants me to star
On this day in 1936 Billie Burke presented Ziegfeld Follies of 1936 with (among others) Fanny Brice, Bob Hope, Josephine Baker, Eve Arden, Judy Canova, Harriet Hoctor, Gertrude Niesen and The Nicholas Brothers. (Did I mention that the choreographer was George Balanchine and the sets and costumes were designed by Vincente Minnelli?)
L’amour, l’amour!
Born on this day in 1882 actress Mary Boland.
The ghostess with the mostest
Born on this day in 1923 actress and singer Anne Jeffreys.
Room at the top
Born on this day in 1963 tenor Marcello Giordani.
Outsider
Born on this day in 76 AD Roman Emperor Hadrian.
Why let the goblins upset you?
Born on this day in 1909 actress Ann Sothern.
Chest one of those things
Born on this day in 1926 bodybuilder and actor Steve Reeves.
“Poetry is never dangerous”
Born on this day in 1920 screenwriter and director Federico Fellini.
Hitchcock blonde
Born on this day in 1930 actress and activist ‘Tippi’ Hedren.
Win a Free Ticket to Opening Night at the Met!
Quinn Kelsey and Lise Davidsen star in the Met's new Macbeth. We're giving away one ticket, so screw your courage to the sticking place and enter now!
I’ll take the fall
The days are getting shorter, but you can keep the prattle going this fall’s Talk of the Town! You will, you can, you must join in the discussion about: Great mezzo soprano performances (October),
Gained in translation (November), Teleport me back to… (December).
