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.
Grail, be seeing you
On this day in 1903, the Metropolitan Opera presented the first staged performance of Parsifal outside Bayreuth.
Art is a kind of illness
Born on this day in 1858 composer Giacomo Puccini.
Global warning
Happy 82nd birthday to activist and actor Jane Fonda.
Crazy about the Navy
On this day in 1968, the musical spoof Dames at Sea opened at the Bouwerie Lane Theatre, starring Bernadette Peters.
Sandy
Born on this day in 1953 baritone and teacher Sanford Sylvan.
“Stunning impact”
Sixty years ago today soprano Birgit Nilssson made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Isolde.
”I love applause!”
On this day in 1937 soprano Zinka Milanov made her Metropolitan Opera debut in Il trovatore.
A most improper noun
Born on this day in 1899 composer, playwright and actor Noel Coward.
Musical comedy girl
Miss Bette Davis starred in the musical revue Two’s Company, which opened on this day in 1952 at the Alvin Theatre to run only 90 performances.
These three
On this day in 1918 Puccini’s Il Trittico premiered at the Metropolitan Opera.
Il fascino di una voce
Happy 89th birthday soprano Rosanna Carteri!
Debutante
Fifty years ago on this day, Jessye Norman made her professional debut as Wagner’s Elisabeth at the Deutsche Oper, Berlin.
Perseverance
Happy 88th birthday actress and singer Rita Moreno.
True West
On this day in 1910 Puccini’s La fanciulla del West had its world premiere at the Met.
Veiled threat
On this day in 1905 Richard Strauss’s Salome premiered in Dresden.
Sie kämmt ihr goldenes Haar
On this day in 1949 the Jule Styne musical Gentlemen Prefer Blondes opened at the Ziegfeld Theatre, making a star of Carol Channing and running 740 performances.
The mauve decadent
Born on this day in 1900 actress Agnes Moorehead.
Beauty! Terrible Beauty!
On this day in 1890 the first complete performance of Les Troyens was given in Karlsruhe.
Heathers
On this day in 1893 soprano Nellie Melba made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Lucia.
The elusive quality of command
On this day in 1983 soprano Aprile Millo made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Amelia Boccanegra.
J’entends pleurer
On this day in 1962 conductor Ernest Ansermet made his in-house Metropolitan Opera debut conducting Pelléas and Mélisande.
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!
