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.
Happy 83rd birthday composer Philip Glass.
On this day in 1957 soprano Martha Mödl made her Metropolitan Opera debut as the Siegfried Brunnhilde.
On this day in 1966 the opening night of Sweet Charity starring Gwen Verdon, directed and choreographed by Bob Fosse.
On this day in 1961 the historic Metropolitan Opera debuts of Leontyne Price and Franco Corelli in Verdi’s Il trovatore.
On this day in 1958 soprano Inge Borkh made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Salome.
Happy 87th birthday to singer / dancer / actress Chita Rivera.
Born on this day in 1905 couturier Christian Dior.
On this day in 1967 Colin Davis made his Metropolitan Opera debut conducting Peter Grimes with Jon Vickers, Lucine Amara and Geraint Evans in the cast.
Happy 86th birthday mezzo-soprano Marilyn Horne.
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.
Happy 64th birthday soprano/mezzo-soprano Waltraud Meier.
Born on this day in 1911 or thereabouts actress, author and burlesque performer Gypsy Rose Lee.
Born on this day in 1899 composer Francis Poulenc.
Born on this day in 1412 martyr and saint Jeanne d’Arc.
Born on this day in 1917 director and impresario Wieland Wagner.
Happy 83rd birthday to diva Grace Bumbry.
On this day in 1956 the Metropolitan Opera celebrated the 25th anniversary of the debut of soprano Lily Pons.
On this day in 1958 Maria Callas canceled a gala performance of Norma after the first act in the so-called “Rome Walkout.”
On this day in 1972, Stephen Sondheim‘s Company closed on Broadway, finishing a run of 705 performances.
On this day in 2009 Yannick Nézet-Séguin made his Metropolitan Opera debut conducting Carmen.
On this day in 1954 the Harold Arlen–Truman Capote musical House of Flowers opened at the Alvin Theatre, to run 165 performances.
Born on this day in 1936 actress, producer and social advocate Mary Tyler Moore.
Happy 85th birthday to thespian Dame Maggie Smith.
Born on this day in 1901 actress and diseuse Marlene Dietrich.
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.
