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.
On this day in 2010 Broadway musical legends Bernadette Peters and Elaine Stritch joined the cast of A Little Night Music at the Walter Kerr Theatre.
Born on this day in 1895 soprano Kirsten Flagstad.
Born on this day in 1925 soprano Mattiwilda Dobbs and tenor Nicolai Gedda.
Happy 51st birthday tenor Jonas Kaufmann.
On this day in 1930 a cabaret singer named Ethel Merman made her vaudeville debut.
Born on this day in 1951 actress, director and (erstwhile) model Anjelica Huston.
Born on this day in 1939 mezzo-soprano Elena Obraztsova.
Born on this day in 1910 soprano Dorothy Kirsten.
Born on this day in 1755 actress Sarah Siddons.
Happy Independence Day to all US-based members of the cher public!
Happy 73rd birthday to Broadway diva Betty Buckley.
On this day in 1929 impresario Florenz Ziegfeld presented a youngster named Ruby Keeler in the title role of the Gershwins’ musical Show Girl.
Born on this day in 1892 author James M. Cain.
On this day in 1954, Carol Haney was ill for the matinee performance of The Pajama Game and her understudy Shirley MacLaine went on.
Happy 36th birthday mezzo-soprano Anita Rachvelishvili!
Born on this day in 1932 soprano Anna Moffo.
On this day The Ziegfeld Follies of 1911 opened at the Jardin de Paris, with a cast boasting Fanny Brice, Bert Williams, The Dolly Sisters, Leon Errol, Bessie McCoy and Jeanne Eagels.
Happy birthday to baritone Jarrett Ott.
Born on this day in 1942 actress and singer Michele Lee.
Born on this day in 1917 director and choreographer Bob Fosse.
Born on this day in 1819 composer Jacques Offenbach…
In honor of Juneteenth, the Metropolitan Opera is extending its streaming of La forza del destino starring Leontyne Price for an additional 24 hours. The stream will remain available until Saturday afternoon.