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.
Born on this day in 1942 actress and singer Michele Lee.
Born on this day in 1917 director and choreographer Bob Fosse.
Born on this day in 1819 composer Jacques Offenbach…
In honor of Juneteenth, the Metropolitan Opera is extending its streaming of La forza del destino starring Leontyne Price for an additional 24 hours. The stream will remain available until Saturday afternoon.
Happy 77th birthday soprano Eva Marton.
On this day in 1967 Barbra Streisand‘s A Happening in Central Park took place in New York.
Born on this day in 1899 soprano Helen Traubel.
Born on this day in 1894 orchestrator and composer Robert Russell Bennett.
Born on this day in 1926 comedian and actor Paul Lynde.
Born on this day in 1899 photographer and journalist Weegee.
Born on this day in 1864 composer Richard Strauss. Born on this day in 1913 mezzo-soprano Risë Stevens.
Born on this day in 1922 Miss Show Business.
Born on this day in 1891 composer Cole Porter.
Born on this day in 1921 actress Alexis Smith.
Happy 57th birthday tenor Roberto Alagna.
Born on this day in 1912 actress Maria Montez.
Happy 55th birthday soprano Sandrine Piau.
Happy 54th birthday mezzo-soprano Cecilia Bartoli.
Happy 55th birthday baritone Peter Mattei.
Happy 71st birthday tenor Neil Shicoff.
Happy 75th birthday mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade.
Born on this day in 1931 mezzo-soprano/soprano Shirley Verrett.
Born on this day in 1925 baritone Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau and in 1943 soprano Elena Suliotis.
Born on this day in 1911 actor and bon vivant Vincent Price.
Tell us: What was the best of 2025?
Parterre Box concludes the thrilling first year of Talk of the Town by inviting your lightning rod opinions on several more categories of operatic argumentation.
