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.

It was a glad adventure It was a glad adventure

On this day in 1954 the musical The Golden Apple opened off-Broadway.

on March 11, 2020 at 11:43 AM
The matching of tones The matching of tones

Born on this day in 1892 soprano Dame Eva Turner.

on March 10, 2020 at 1:09 PM
Don’t talk to strangers Don’t talk to strangers

Born on this day in 1910 composer Samuel Barber.

on March 09, 2020 at 9:27 AM
Just leave everything to me! Just leave everything to me!

Happy 61st birthday to musical theater diva Donna Murphy.

on March 07, 2020 at 11:28 AM
En direct En direct

Happy 45th birthday conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin.

on March 06, 2020 at 10:39 AM
A soldier’s play A soldier’s play

On this day in 1959 Alban Berg‘s Wozzeck had its Metropolitan Opera premiere.

on March 05, 2020 at 10:44 AM
Pettifogging Pettifogging

Happy 66th birthday to comic genius Catherine O’Hara.

on March 04, 2020 at 10:58 AM
Flopéra comique Flopéra comique

On this day in 1875 Bizet’s Carmen had its disastrous premiere at the Opéra Comique in Paris.

on March 03, 2020 at 10:45 AM
Never mind the ants Never mind the ants

On this day in 1960 debonair Don Ameche donned yellowface to star in the notorious flop musical 13 Daughters, which ran 28 performances.

on March 02, 2020 at 10:58 AM
Ageless Ageless

Happy 93rd birthday soprano Lucine Amara.

on March 01, 2020 at 12:28 PM
A massacred ball A massacred ball

On this day in 1836 Meyerbeer’s Les Huguenots premiered in Paris.

on February 29, 2020 at 9:55 AM
Welcome to the dollhouse Welcome to the dollhouse

On this day in 1910 prima ballerina Anna Pavlova made her debut at the Metropolitan Opera in Coppelia (on a double bill with Werther!)

on February 28, 2020 at 9:57 AM
“Even when we speak it is musical” “Even when we speak it is musical”

Born on this day in 1935 soprano Mirella Freni.

on February 27, 2020 at 8:00 AM
To think of shadows To think of shadows

Born on this day in 1802 author and playwright Victor Hugo.

on February 26, 2020 at 10:51 AM
Roz’s turn Roz’s turn

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.

on February 25, 2020 at 11:42 AM
More than a diva More than a diva

Happy 86th Birthday soprano Renata Scotto.

on February 24, 2020 at 10:16 AM
The grand manner The grand manner

Born on this day in 1927 soprano Régine Crespin.

on February 23, 2020 at 12:16 PM
Beautiful ghost Beautiful ghost

Born on this day in 1930 soprano and film “ghost” singer Marni Nixon.

on February 22, 2020 at 9:27 AM
Happy birthday Christine Ebersole! Happy birthday Christine Ebersole!

The actress and songstress is 67 today! Born on this day in 1907 librettist and poet W H Auden.

on February 21, 2020 at 10:45 AM
A fine day for a ‘Parade’ A fine day for a ‘Parade’

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 February 20, 2020 at 9:23 AM
Star, flaming Star, flaming

On this day in 1967 soprano Lucia Popp made her Met debut as the Queen of the Night.

on February 19, 2020 at 11:52 AM
Crowning glory Crowning glory

Born on this day in 1926 mezzo-soprano Rita Gorr.

on February 18, 2020 at 9:17 AM
Happy Presidents Day! Happy Presidents Day!

A day dedicated to celebrating all U.S. presidents, past and present.

on February 17, 2020 at 9:28 AM
Dissolute Dissolute

On this day in 1966 Metropolitan Opera debut of tenor Alfredo Kraus as the Duke of Mantua.

on February 16, 2020 at 9:48 AM