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.

Team player Team player

Born on this day in 1842 composer Arthur Sullivan.

on May 13, 2019 at 11:26 AM
Little flop of horrors Little flop of horrors

On this day in 1988 Carrie: The Musical opened at the Virginia Theatre, to run five performances.

on May 12, 2019 at 1:03 PM

On this day 1959 Judy Garland made her Metropolitan Opera House debut.

on May 11, 2019 at 11:29 AM
I guess that’s why they call it the blues I guess that’s why they call it the blues

On this day in 1907 Paul Dukas’ rarity Ariane et Barbe-bleue premiered in Paris with soprano Georgette Leblanc in the leading role.

on May 10, 2019 at 10:13 AM

Happy 64th birthday mezzo-soprano Anne Sofie von Otter.

on May 09, 2019 at 8:15 AM
Sun king Sun king

Happy birthday to countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo.

on May 08, 2019 at 10:36 AM
Gold coast Gold coast

On this day in 2018 the Metropolitan Opera celebrated 50 years at Lincoln Center.

on May 07, 2019 at 12:35 PM
Lucky strike Lucky strike

On this day in 1955 the Richard Adler / Jerry Ross musical Damn Yankees opened at the 46th Street Theatre, to run 1019 performances. 

on May 05, 2019 at 1:03 PM
Debutante Debutante

Born on this day in 1930 soprano Roberta Peters.

on May 04, 2019 at 10:33 AM
Entrepreneur Entrepreneur

Born on this day in 1844 impresario Richard D’Oyly Carte.

on May 03, 2019 at 8:33 AM
Sweet comic valentine Sweet comic valentine

Born on this day in 1897 Broadway lyricist Lorenz Hart.

on May 02, 2019 at 8:00 AM
The Goddess The Goddess

On this day on 1990 mezzo-soprano Christa Ludwig celebrated her 30th anniversary Metropolitan Opera performance as Fricka.

on May 01, 2019 at 3:13 PM
Quels enfants! Quels enfants!

On this day in 1902 Debussy’s Pelléas et Melisande premiered in Paris.

on April 30, 2019 at 9:23 AM
Conductivity Conductivity

Happy 83rd birthday maestro Zubin Mehta

on April 29, 2019 at 9:15 AM
Some othering time Some othering time

On this day in 1900 the play Madame Butterfly by David Belasco opened at the Duke of York’s Theatre in London.

on April 28, 2019 at 8:00 AM
Oh very young Oh very young

Happy 76th birthday soprano Judith Blegen.

on April 27, 2019 at 8:21 AM
The lady don’t mind The lady don’t mind

Happy 49th birthday soprano Eva-Maria Westbroek.

on April 26, 2019 at 10:10 AM
The answer’s in the question The answer’s in the question

On this day in 1926 Puccini’s opera Turandot premiered in Milan.

on April 25, 2019 at 10:10 AM
Now get out of here! Now get out of here!

Happy 64th birthday to performance artist Lypsinka.

on April 24, 2019 at 11:01 AM
What a day this has been What a day this has been

On this day in 1961, Judy Garland made the rafters of Carnegie Hall ring with her celebrated solo concert.

on April 23, 2019 at 11:25 AM
A little more mascara A little more mascara

Happy 83rd birthday mezzo-soprano Fiorenza Cossotto.

on April 22, 2019 at 10:03 AM
Muscle of love Muscle of love

On this day in 2005, the Metropolitan Opera presented a new production of Faust.

on April 21, 2019 at 12:59 PM
“No, that was me!” “No, that was me!”

On this day in 2015 Renée Fleming made her Broadway debut in Joe DiPietro‘s comedy Living on Love.

on April 20, 2019 at 10:47 AM
Me, Natalie Me, Natalie

Happy 54th birthday soprano Natalie Dessay.

on April 19, 2019 at 12:02 PM