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.


Mussel your way in Mussel your way in

On this day in 1928 the American Premiere of Richard Strauss‘ Die ägyptische Helena at the Met.

on November 06, 2023 at 6:00 AM
Dell’invito trascorsa è già l’ora Dell’invito trascorsa è già l’ora

On this day in 1883 the Metropolitan Opera presented its very first traviata.

on November 05, 2023 at 6:00 AM
Baby steppes Baby steppes

In 1961 soprano Phyllis Curtin makes her Metropolitan Opera debut as Fiordiligi

on November 04, 2023 at 6:00 AM
A noi duce fa l’amor A noi duce fa l’amor

On this night in 1924 Tullio Serafin made his Met debut conducting Elisabeth Rethberg and Giovanni Martinelli in Aida.

on November 03, 2023 at 6:00 AM
New kid in town New kid in town

On this day in 2005 mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato made her Met debut as Cherubino

on November 02, 2023 at 6:00 AM
Order of the angels Order of the angels

Born on this day in 1923 soprano Victoria de los Angeles

on November 01, 2023 at 6:00 AM
I’ll die my own way I’ll die my own way

Happy Halloween, Parterrians!

on October 31, 2023 at 6:00 AM
Simple gifts Simple gifts

On this day in 1944 the Aaron Copland/Martha Graham ballet Appalachian Spring had its premiere in Washington DC.

on October 30, 2023 at 6:00 AM
L’ora aspettate L’ora aspettate

On this day in 1956 La Divina made her Met debut as Norma

on October 29, 2023 at 6:00 AM
Ein Ritter nahte da Ein Ritter nahte da

On this day in 1961 tenor Sandor Konya made his Met debut as Lohengrin. Ingrid Bjoner debuts as Elsa.

on October 28, 2023 at 6:00 AM
Roman candle Roman candle

On this day in 1958 Met opening night Tosca with Tebaldi, del Monaco and George London. (from two years earlier. . . )

on October 27, 2023 at 6:00 AM
Her memory is all that is left for you now Her memory is all that is left for you now

On this day in 1959 mezzo-soprano Giulietta Simionato made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Azucena

on October 26, 2023 at 6:00 AM
Mistico raggio di luci e di fior Mistico raggio di luci e di fior

Born on this day in 1926 soprano Galina Vishnevskaya

on October 25, 2023 at 6:00 AM
Memorable silvery luster Memorable silvery luster

Happy 68th birthday soprano Cheryl Studer

on October 24, 2023 at 6:00 AM
Magic to do Magic to do

Born on this day in 1923 composer Ned Rorem

on October 23, 2023 at 6:00 AM
A very, very, very fine house A very, very, very fine house

On this day in 1883 the Metropolitan Opera House opened with Gounod‘s Faust.

on October 22, 2023 at 6:00 AM
Les pecheurs de chats Les pecheurs de chats

On this day in 2013 the Metropolitan Opera presented Nico Muhly‘s Two Boys for the first time

on October 21, 2023 at 6:00 AM
The lights of the world burn around the clock The lights of the world burn around the clock

On this day in 2014 Metropolitan Opera premiered John Adams’s The Death of Klinghoffer. Protests break out during the performance.

on October 20, 2023 at 6:00 AM
Cangia in un punto il tuo destino Cangia in un punto il tuo destino

On this day in 1994 baritone Bryn Terfel made his Metropolitan Opera debut as Figaro.

on October 19, 2023 at 6:00 AM
Marvels unfold Marvels unfold

On this day in 1974 Benjamin Britten‘s Death in Venice had its American Premiere at the Metropolitan Opera.

on October 18, 2023 at 6:00 AM
Amelia goes to the ball Amelia goes to the ball

On this day in 1991 soprano Deborah Voigt made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Amelia.

on October 17, 2023 at 6:00 AM
Hearts were made to be broken Hearts were made to be broken

Born on this day in 1962 baritone Dmitri Hvorostovsky

on October 16, 2023 at 6:00 AM
Barging in Barging in

On this day in 1976 soprano Hildegard Behrens made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Giorgetta!

on October 15, 2023 at 6:00 AM
Pyramid scheme Pyramid scheme

On this day in 1964 Metropolitan Opera’s Opening Night was the then-new Nathaniel Merrill production of Aida.

on October 14, 2023 at 6:00 AM
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