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.

A plan and not quite enough time A plan and not quite enough time

Born on this day in 1918 composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein

on August 25, 2024 at 6:00 AM
I am woman, hear me roar I am woman, hear me roar

Happy 68th birthday director and administrator Francesca Zambello

on August 24, 2024 at 6:00 AM
Punct contrapunct Punct contrapunct

Born on this day in 1900 composer Ernst Krenek

on August 23, 2024 at 6:00 AM
First impressions First impressions

Born on this day in 1862 composers Claude Debussy

on August 22, 2024 at 6:00 AM
Hard to be a dame Hard to be a dame

Happy 91st birthday mezzo-soprano Dame Janet Baker

on August 21, 2024 at 6:00 AM
The glass ménage à trois The glass ménage à trois

On this day in 1828 Rossini’s Le comte Ory premiered in Paris

on August 20, 2024 at 6:00 AM
Elegance is refusal Elegance is refusal

Born on this day in 1883 designer Coco Chanel

on August 19, 2024 at 6:00 AM
I speak for all mediocrities in the world I speak for all mediocrities in the world

Born on this day in 1750 composer Antonio Salieri

on August 18, 2024 at 6:00 AM
Gods and demigods Gods and demigods

Born on this day in 1686 composer Nicola Porpora

on August 17, 2024 at 6:00 AM
Sag’ es mir, süßer Freundin! Sag’ es mir, süßer Freundin!

On this day in 1876 Wagner’s Siegfried premiered at the Bayreuth Festspielhaus

on August 16, 2024 at 6:00 AM
Ritas and rituals Ritas and rituals

Happy 68th birthday tenor Bruce Ford

on August 15, 2024 at 6:00 AM
Into the arena Into the arena

Happy 64th birthdays to soprano Cecilia Gasdia

on August 14, 2024 at 6:00 AM
Music in the air Music in the air

Happy 76th birthday soprano Kathleen Battle

on August 13, 2024 at 6:00 AM
La femme de l’ombre La femme de l’ombre

Born on this day in 1944 tenor Peter Hofmann Birthday anniversaries of tenor Antonio Cortis (1891), mezzo-contralto Maria Olszewska (1892), soprano Trude Eipperle (1910), and opera director Harry Kupfer (1935) Happy 74th birthday soprano Melanie Holliday

on August 12, 2024 at 6:00 AM
Broken HIP Broken HIP

Born on this day in 1927 conductor Raymond Leppard

on August 11, 2024 at 6:00 AM
Ah di me che si dirà? Ah di me che si dirà?

Happy 72nd birthday soprano Ashley Putnam

on August 10, 2024 at 6:00 AM
Dramatic edge Dramatic edge

Happy 65th birthday soprano Maria Guleghina

on August 09, 2024 at 6:00 AM
Queen of the Nile Queen of the Nile

Happy 87th birthday stage director Sonja Frisell

on August 08, 2024 at 6:00 AM
Reining supreme Reining supreme

Born on this day in 1903 soprano Maria Reining

on August 07, 2024 at 6:00 AM
Osserva quella cieca Osserva quella cieca

Born on this day in 1954 writer, editor, and parterre creator James Jorden

on August 06, 2024 at 6:00 AM
Air and sunlight Air and sunlight

Born on this day in 1890 conductor Erich Kleiber

on August 05, 2024 at 6:00 AM
Unforeseen developments Unforeseen developments

Happy 64th birthday soprano Deborah Voigt

on August 04, 2024 at 6:00 AM
Brood in Great Britain Brood in Great Britain

Happy 65th birthday baritone Simon Keenlyside

on August 03, 2024 at 6:00 AM
Einen sonderbaren Klang Einen sonderbaren Klang

Happy 87th birthday soprano Gundula Janowitz

on August 02, 2024 at 6:00 AM