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.

Hold me closer, temple dancer Hold me closer, temple dancer

Born on this day in 1919 dancer Marge Champion

By on September 02, 2024 at 6:00 AM
89 comments
Symphoniste fantastique Symphoniste fantastique

Born on this day in 1935 conductor Seiji Ozawa

By on September 01, 2024 at 6:00 AM
88 comments
Forêt through the trees Forêt through the trees

On this day in 1829 Rossini‘s Guillaume Tell premieres in Paris

By on August 31, 2024 at 6:00 AM
85 comments
Where’s craft? Where’s craft?

Born on this day in 1922 soprano/mezzo-soprano/opera director Regina Resnik

By on August 30, 2024 at 6:00 AM
85 comments
Learing eye Learing eye

Born on this day in 1926 baritone Thomas Stewart

By on August 29, 2024 at 6:00 AM
45 comments
Pauline letters Pauline letters

Happy 83rd birthday bass Paul Plishka

By on August 28, 2024 at 6:00 AM
82 comments
Irish cream Irish cream

Happy 75th birthday Irish mezzo-soprano (not Canadian pop singer) Ann Murray

By on August 27, 2024 at 6:00 AM
34 comments
Dutch process Dutch process

Born on this day in 1915 soprano Gré Brouwenstijn

By on August 26, 2024 at 6:00 AM
88 comments
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

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

Happy 68th birthday director and administrator Francesca Zambello

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

Born on this day in 1900 composer Ernst Krenek

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

Born on this day in 1862 composers Claude Debussy

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

Happy 91st birthday mezzo-soprano Dame Janet Baker

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

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

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

Born on this day in 1883 designer Coco Chanel

By on August 19, 2024 at 6:00 AM
68 comments
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

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

Born on this day in 1686 composer Nicola Porpora

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

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

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

Happy 68th birthday tenor Bruce Ford

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

Happy 64th birthdays to soprano Cecilia Gasdia

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

Happy 76th birthday soprano Kathleen Battle

By on August 13, 2024 at 6:00 AM
101 comments
La femme de l’ombre La femme de l’ombre
By on August 12, 2024 at 6:00 AM
66 comments
Broken HIP Broken HIP

Born on this day in 1927 conductor Raymond Leppard

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

Happy 72nd birthday soprano Ashley Putnam

By on August 10, 2024 at 6:00 AM
154 comments