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.

It begins tonight It begins tonight

On this day in 1961: the historic Metropolitan Opera debuts of Leontyne Price and Franco Corelli in Verdi’s Il trovatore.

By on January 27, 2022 at 7:44 AM
24 comments
Plenty of security Plenty of security

Born on this day in 1923 actress and singer Anne Jeffreys.

By on January 26, 2022 at 8:50 AM
9 comments
We are family We are family

Premiered on this day in 1909 Richard Strauss‘s Elektra.

By on January 25, 2022 at 9:34 AM
39 comments
Madwoman Madwoman

Born on this day in 1883 actress Estelle Winwood.

By on January 24, 2022 at 8:56 AM
81 comments
“I do like to win” “I do like to win”

Happy 89th birthday to Broadway singer-dancer supreme Chita Rivera.

By on January 23, 2022 at 9:54 AM
38 comments
Grande dame Grande dame

Born on this day in 1878 actress and acting coach Constance Collier.

By on January 22, 2022 at 8:34 AM
55 comments
One of a kind One of a kind

Born on this day in 1926 bodybuilder and actor Steve Reeves.

By on January 21, 2022 at 2:02 AM
36 comments
“I think I was born stubborn” “I think I was born stubborn”

Born on this day in 1926 actress Patricia Neal.

By on January 20, 2022 at 7:43 AM
50 comments
O mother, where art thou? O mother, where art thou?

On this day in 1853 Verdi’s Il trovatore premiered in Rome.

By on January 19, 2022 at 3:12 AM
168 comments
I’m like a bird I’m like a bird

Happy 91st birthday actress Tippi Hedren.

By on January 18, 2022 at 2:35 AM
55 comments
“I’ve always been multicultural myself” “I’ve always been multicultural myself”

Born on this day in 1927 singer, actress, comedian, dancer and activist Eartha Kitt.

By on January 17, 2022 at 1:59 AM
109 comments
Nothing to hit but the heights Nothing to hit but the heights

Born on this day in 1908 actress and singer Ethel Merman.

By on January 16, 2022 at 3:04 AM
146 comments
I am your Bebe now I am your Bebe now

Born on this day in 1901 actress, singer, dancer, writer and producer Bebe Daniels.

By on January 14, 2022 at 10:29 AM
84 comments
Mademoiselle will do Mademoiselle will do

Born on this day in 1905 actress Kay Francis.

By on January 13, 2022 at 12:42 AM
44 comments
Weep no more, my lady Weep no more, my lady

Born on this day 1910 impossibly difficult actress Luise Rainer.

By on January 12, 2022 at 6:30 AM
67 comments
Electrifying Electrifying

On this day in 1934 soprano Lotte Lehmann made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Sieglinde.

By on January 11, 2022 at 4:07 PM
41 comments
Young as we are Young as we are

Born on this day in 1939 actor Sal Mineo.

By on January 10, 2022 at 8:00 AM
109 comments
Lovely wonderful thoughts Lovely wonderful thoughts

On this dayin 1956 an encore live TV presentation of Peter Pan starred Mary Martin.

By on January 09, 2022 at 2:42 PM
129 comments
“You just have to think naked” “You just have to think naked”

Born on this day in 1911 ecdysiast Gypsy Rose Lee.

By on January 08, 2022 at 3:21 PM
167 comments
Enter, stage right Enter, stage right

Born on this day in 1913 actress and clothes horse Loretta Young.

By on January 06, 2022 at 8:00 AM
243 comments
Queen bee Queen bee

Also on this day in 1977 soprano Edita Gruberova made her Met debut as the Queen of the Night.

By on January 05, 2022 at 1:05 PM
102 comments
A fine romance A fine romance

Happy 85th birthday soprano/mezzo-soprano Grace Bumbry.

By on January 04, 2022 at 11:27 AM
24 comments
Not so dumb Not so dumb

Born on this day in 1897 actress Marion Davies.

By on January 03, 2022 at 1:16 PM
23 comments
On her toes On her toes

Born on this day ballerina and actress Vera Zorina.

By on January 02, 2022 at 10:12 AM
51 comments
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