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.

The man that got away The man that got away

On this day in 1912 Pietro Mascagni‘s Lodoletta had its United States premiere at the Metropolitan with  Geraldine Farrar and Enrico Caruso in the leads.

on January 12, 2020 at 12:21 PM
Kunstdiva Kunstdiva

Happy 64th birthday soprano/mezzo-soprano Waltraud Meier.

on January 09, 2020 at 9:51 AM
Ecdysiast Ecdysiast

Born on this day in 1911 or thereabouts actress, author and burlesque performer Gypsy Rose Lee.

on January 08, 2020 at 11:00 AM
“My music is my portrait” “My music is my portrait”

Born on this day in 1899 composer Francis Poulenc.

on January 07, 2020 at 12:30 PM
I was born to do this I was born to do this

Born on this day in 1412 martyr and saint Jeanne d’Arc.

on January 06, 2020 at 8:44 AM
Ringmaster Ringmaster

Born on this day in 1917 director and impresario Wieland Wagner.

on January 05, 2020 at 1:58 PM
State of Grace State of Grace

Happy 83rd birthday to diva Grace Bumbry.

on January 04, 2020 at 11:09 AM
Darling Lily Darling Lily

On this day in 1956 the Metropolitan Opera celebrated the 25th anniversary of the debut of soprano Lily Pons.

on January 03, 2020 at 11:30 AM
Scandale! Scandale!

On this day in 1958 Maria Callas canceled a gala performance of Norma after the first act in the so-called “Rome Walkout.”

on January 02, 2020 at 12:30 AM
Isn’t it warm, isn’t it rosy? Isn’t it warm, isn’t it rosy?

On this day in 1972, Stephen Sondheim‘s Company closed on Broadway, finishing a run of 705 performances.

on January 01, 2020 at 12:38 AM
New kid on the block New kid on the block

On this day in 2009 Yannick Nézet-Séguin made his Metropolitan Opera debut conducting Carmen.

on December 31, 2019 at 8:00 AM
My house is made of flowers My house is made of flowers

On this day in 1954 the Harold ArlenTruman Capote musical House of Flowers opened at the Alvin Theatre, to run 165 performances.

on December 30, 2019 at 8:00 AM
“I’m just a housewife!” “I’m just a housewife!”

Born on this day in 1936 actress, producer and social advocate Mary Tyler Moore.

on December 29, 2019 at 10:30 AM
Come, my queen, take hands with me Come, my queen, take hands with me

Happy 85th birthday to thespian Dame Maggie Smith.

on December 28, 2019 at 12:58 AM
“I am at heart a gentleman” “I am at heart a gentleman”

Born on this day in 1901 actress and diseuse Marlene Dietrich.

on December 27, 2019 at 12:17 PM
Drama queen Drama queen

On this day in 1830 Donizetti’s Anna Bolena premiered in Milan.

on December 26, 2019 at 8:00 AM
Yule, light up my life! Yule, light up my life!

Merry Christmas Parterrians!

on December 25, 2019 at 12:42 PM
Grail, be seeing you Grail, be seeing you

On this day in 1903, the Metropolitan Opera presented the first staged performance of Parsifal outside Bayreuth.

on December 24, 2019 at 10:45 AM
Queen Bee Queen Bee

Happy 73rd birthday soprano Edita Gruberova.

on December 23, 2019 at 8:21 AM
Art is a kind of illness Art is a kind of illness

Born on this day in 1858 composer Giacomo Puccini.

on December 22, 2019 at 12:13 PM
Global warning Global warning

Happy 82nd birthday to activist and actor Jane Fonda.

on December 21, 2019 at 11:10 AM
Crazy about the Navy Crazy about the Navy

On this day in 1968, the musical spoof Dames at Sea opened at the Bouwerie Lane Theatre, starring Bernadette Peters.

on December 20, 2019 at 1:01 PM
Sandy Sandy

Born on this day in 1953 baritone and teacher Sanford Sylvan.

on December 19, 2019 at 8:00 AM
“Stunning impact” “Stunning impact”

Sixty years ago today soprano Birgit Nilssson made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Isolde.

on December 18, 2019 at 10:25 AM