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 rose is still a rose A rose is still a rose

Born on this day in 1864 composer Richard Strauss. Born on this day in 1913 mezzo-soprano Risë Stevens.

By on June 11, 2020 at 8:00 AM
1 comment
A first-rate version of herself A first-rate version of herself

Born on this day in 1922 Miss Show Business.

By on June 10, 2020 at 8:00 AM
2 comments
What rapture serene What rapture serene

Born on this day in 1891 composer Cole Porter.

By on June 09, 2020 at 11:54 AM
10 comments
This is my belief, in brief This is my belief, in brief

Born on this day in 1921 actress Alexis Smith.

By on June 08, 2020 at 8:00 AM
19 comments
Chevalier Chevalier

Happy 57th birthday tenor Roberto Alagna.

By on June 07, 2020 at 10:41 AM
5 comments
Queen of technicolor Queen of technicolor

Born on this day in 1912 actress Maria Montez.

By on June 06, 2020 at 2:20 PM
11 comments
I wanna baroque I wanna baroque

Happy 55th birthday soprano Sandrine Piau.

By on June 05, 2020 at 10:53 AM
3 comments
“I am a person of the 18th century” “I am a person of the 18th century”

Happy 54th birthday mezzo-soprano Cecilia Bartoli.

By on June 04, 2020 at 8:00 AM
24 comments
The great sinner The great sinner

Happy 55th birthday baritone Peter Mattei.

By on June 03, 2020 at 8:00 AM
15 comments
Into the fire Into the fire

Happy 71st birthday tenor Neil Shicoff.

By on June 02, 2020 at 10:27 AM
5 comments
Like a diamond Like a diamond

Happy 75th birthday mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade.

By on June 01, 2020 at 8:00 AM
44 comments
Wicked Lady Wicked Lady

Born on this day in 1931 mezzo-soprano/soprano Shirley Verrett.

By on May 31, 2020 at 8:00 AM
40 comments
The odd couple The odd couple

Born on this day in 1925 baritone Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau and in 1943 soprano Elena Suliotis.

By on May 28, 2020 at 8:00 AM
41 comments
“It’s as much fun to scare as to be scared” “It’s as much fun to scare as to be scared”

Born on this day in 1911 actor and bon vivant Vincent Price.

By on May 27, 2020 at 8:00 AM
7 comments
“A lifetime of emotions every day” “A lifetime of emotions every day”

Happy 82nd birthday soprano Teresa Stratas.

By on May 26, 2020 at 8:00 AM
26 comments
Crazy to start with Crazy to start with

Born on this day in 1929 soprano and administrator Beverly Sills.

By on May 25, 2020 at 10:22 AM
7 comments
Absolutely nothing is the same Absolutely nothing is the same

On this day in 1966 Jerry Herman‘s Mame opened at the Winter Garden Theatre, to run 1,508 performances.

By on May 24, 2020 at 8:00 AM
18 comments
Quite so obvious Quite so obvious

Happy 87th birthday Dame Joan Collins!

By on May 23, 2020 at 1:11 PM
12 comments
Master blaster Master blaster

Born on this day in 1813 composer Richard Wagner.

By on May 22, 2020 at 2:28 PM
6 comments
Rocky road Rocky road

On this day in 1978 tenor Rockwell Blake made his Met debut on tour in Minneapolis as Don Ottavio.

By on May 20, 2020 at 12:13 PM
9 comments
“Always sing below your potential” “Always sing below your potential”

Born on this day in 1861 soprano Nellie Melba.

By on May 19, 2020 at 10:56 AM
7 comments
Double bass Double bass

Born on this day in 1892 bass Ezio Pinza.

By on May 18, 2020 at 8:00 AM
27 comments
“Stay close to the earth” “Stay close to the earth”

Born on this day in 1918 soprano Birgit Nilsson.

By on May 17, 2020 at 11:37 AM
3 comments
Éclatantes beautés! Éclatantes beautés!

On this day in 1889 Massenet’s Esclarmonde premiered in Paris.

By on May 15, 2020 at 8:00 AM
82 comments