Lady’s choice
On this day in 1895 Lillian Nordica sang Leonora to Francesco Tamagno‘s Manrico in the tenor’s Met farewell.
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.
I’ll laugh tomorrow
Happy 87th birthday to actress and comedian Carol Burnett.
Hab’ mir’s gelobt
Born on this day in 1918 soprano Astrid Varnay.
Unsentimental lady
On this day in 2015 Chita Rivera opened her 18th Broadway show as the star of John Kander, Fred Ebb and Terrence McNally‘s The Visit.
Bold as love
Happy 85th birthday mezzo-soprano Fiorenza Cossotto.
The only safe thing is to take a chance
Happy 88th birthday comedian, film director, screenwriter, and actress Elaine May.
Diary of a chambermaid
Happy 55th birthday soprano Natalie Dessay.
Angelica
Born on this day in 1938 actress Claudia Cardinale.
What did I ever see in him?
On this day in 1960 the Charles Strouse–Lee Adams musical Bye Bye Birdie opened at the Martin Beck Theatre to run 607 performances.
Happy Diva Day 2!
Born on this day in 1931 soprano Anita Cerquetti.
Happy Diva Day!
Born on this day in 1898 soprano Lily Pons.
Women upset everything
On this day in 1914, George Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion opened at His Majesty’s Theatre in London, starring Mrs. Patrick Campbell.
Boy trouble
On this day in 1996 tenor Roberto Alagna made his Met debut as Rodolfo.
“Diamonds is my career”
On this day in 1928 Mae West played triple threat as playwright, director and star of Diamond Lil, which ran for 323 performances at the Royale Theatre.
Listen to my voice
Born on this day in 1921 tenor Franco Corelli.
Long lost daughter
On this day in 1975 Rossini’s Siege of Corinth had its American stage premiere at the Metropolitan Opera. Soprano Beverly Sills made her official Met debut as Pamira.
Her heart belongs to daddy
On this day in 1989 soprano Sumi Jo made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Gilda.
Open your heart
Happy 90th birthday soprano Mary Costa.
Shadow play
On this day in 1859 Meyerbeer’s Le pardon de Ploërmel premiered in Paris.
If you hit the jackpot
On this day in 1963, Liza Minnelli, age 17, made her off-Broadway debut in a revival of Best Foot Forward.
Time is very kind to her
On this day in 1892, Adelina Patti sang her first and only performance of La traviata at the Metropolitan Opera House.
Flop of steel
On this day in 1966 the musical It’s a Bird…It’s a Plane…It’s Superman opened at the Alvin Theatre.
I’ll take the fall
The days are getting shorter, but you can keep the prattle going this fall’s Talk of the Town! You will, you can, you must join in the discussion about: Great mezzo soprano performances (October),
Gained in translation (November), Teleport me back to… (December).
Win a Free Ticket to Opening Night at the Met!
Quinn Kelsey and Lise Davidsen star in the Met's new Macbeth. We're giving away one ticket, so screw your courage to the sticking place and enter now!
