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 woman under the influence A woman under the influence

Born this day in 1899 director and producer Alfred Hitchcock.

By on August 13, 2020 at 10:24 AM
1 comment
They took the idols and smashed them They took the idols and smashed them

On this day in 1950, the film Sunset Blvd. opened at Radio City Music Hall.

By on August 11, 2020 at 8:00 AM
8 comments
Perhaps the great loves come with tears Perhaps the great loves come with tears

Born on this day in 1902 actress Norma Shearer.

By on August 10, 2020 at 8:00 AM
16 comments
Unless you are a cheese Unless you are a cheese

Born on this day in 1884 actress and singer Billie Burke.

By on August 07, 2020 at 8:00 AM
7 comments
A mighty woman with a torch A mighty woman with a torch

On this day in 1884 the cornerstone for the Statue of Liberty was laid on Bedloe’s Island.

By on August 05, 2020 at 8:00 AM
15 comments
Call me Debbie Call me Debbie

Happy 60th birthday soprano Deborah Voigt.

By on August 04, 2020 at 8:19 AM
18 comments
“Sing your age” “Sing your age”

Happy 61st birthday baritone Simon Keenlyside.

By on August 03, 2020 at 8:00 AM
14 comments
Transcendental Transcendental

Happy 83rd birthday soprano Gundula Janowitz.

By on August 02, 2020 at 9:18 AM
18 comments
Extra added attraction Extra added attraction

On this day in 1963, Barbra Streisand sang at the Riviera Hotel in Las Vegas… opening for Liberace.

By on July 30, 2020 at 10:23 AM
4 comments
So tears run to a predestined end So tears run to a predestined end

Born on this day in 1876 actress and pedagogue Maria Ouspenskaya.

By on July 29, 2020 at 8:00 AM
25 comments
Concerto macabre Concerto macabre

Born on this day in 1913 actor Laird Cregar.

By on July 28, 2020 at 9:52 AM
13 comments
Eighty carrots Eighty carrots

On this day in 1940 Bugs Bunny made his film debut A Wild Hare, directed by Tex Avery.

By on July 27, 2020 at 8:00 AM
14 comments
“I don’t want to be a star” “I don’t want to be a star”

Born on this day in 1909 actress and chanteuse Vivian Vance.

By on July 26, 2020 at 9:34 AM
26 comments
Some other spring Some other spring

Born on this day in 1894 soprano Yvonne Printemps.

By on July 25, 2020 at 9:41 AM
22 comments
This f***ing lady This f***ing lady

Born on this day in 1913 actress Coral Browne.

By on July 23, 2020 at 9:45 AM
9 comments
Go into your dance Go into your dance

On this day in 1943, the musical film Stormy Weather premiered in New York City.

By on July 21, 2020 at 9:02 AM
3 comments
You’re gonna hear from me You’re gonna hear from me

Born on this day in 1938 actress Natalie Wood.

By on July 20, 2020 at 10:54 AM
50 comments
O singer, if thou canst not dream O singer, if thou canst not dream

Born on this day in 1868 soprano Florence Foster Jenkins.

By on July 19, 2020 at 9:40 AM
81 comments
Legit Legit

Happy 41st birthday to Broadway’s Laura Benanti.

By on July 15, 2020 at 8:00 AM
19 comments
Liberté, redescends des cieux! Liberté, redescends des cieux!

Happy Bastille Day!

By on July 14, 2020 at 8:00 AM
33 comments
Mother, forgive the delay Mother, forgive the delay

On this day in 2010 Broadway musical legends Bernadette Peters and Elaine Stritch joined the cast of A Little Night Music at the Walter Kerr Theatre.

By on July 13, 2020 at 9:44 AM
50 comments
Daughter of the gods Daughter of the gods

Born on this day in 1895 soprano Kirsten Flagstad.

By on July 12, 2020 at 11:24 AM
39 comments
Double up Double up

Born on this day in 1925 soprano Mattiwilda Dobbs and tenor Nicolai Gedda.

By on July 11, 2020 at 8:00 AM
8 comments
Keep it in focus Keep it in focus

Happy 51st birthday tenor Jonas Kaufmann.

By on July 10, 2020 at 8:00 AM
17 comments