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.
On this day in 1959 Alban Berg‘s Wozzeck had its Metropolitan Opera premiere.
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Happy 66th birthday to comic genius Catherine O’Hara.
On this day in 1875 Bizet’s Carmen had its disastrous premiere at the Opéra Comique in Paris.
On this day in 1960 debonair Don Ameche donned yellowface to star in the notorious flop musical 13 Daughters, which ran 28 performances.
On this day in 1836 Meyerbeer’s Les Huguenots premiered in Paris.
On this day in 1910 prima ballerina Anna Pavlova made her debut at the Metropolitan Opera in Coppelia (on a double bill with Werther!)
Born on this day in 1935 soprano Mirella Freni.
Born on this day in 1802 author and playwright Victor Hugo.
On this day in 1953 Rosalind Russell topped the bill on the opening night of Wonderful Town, with a score by Leonard Bernstein, and lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green.
Happy 86th Birthday soprano Renata Scotto.
Born on this day in 1927 soprano Régine Crespin.
Born on this day in 1930 soprano and film “ghost” singer Marni Nixon.
The actress and songstress is 67 today! Born on this day in 1907 librettist and poet W H Auden.
On this day in 1981 the Metropolitan Opera premiered triple bill of Satie’s Parade, Poulenc’s Les Mamelles de Tirésias and Ravel’s L’enfant et les sortilèges.
On this day in 1967 soprano Lucia Popp made her Met debut as the Queen of the Night.
Born on this day in 1926 mezzo-soprano Rita Gorr.
A day dedicated to celebrating all U.S. presidents, past and present.
On this day in 1966 Metropolitan Opera debut of tenor Alfredo Kraus as the Duke of Mantua.
On this day in 1939, Lillian Hellman‘s play The Little Foxes opened at the National Theatre, providing actress Tallulah Bankhead with perhaps her greatest vehicle.
Happy 61st birthday to soprano, director, consultant and noted Björk interpreter Renée Fleming.
Happy 100th anniversary of the birth of classical and pop diva Eileen Farrell!
Born on this day in 1923 director and designer Franco Zeffirelli.
Born on this day in 1919 actress, businesswoman, singer and socialite Eva Gabor.
