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.

Electric excitement Electric excitement

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

By on October 26, 2019 at 11:57 AM
59 comments
Elegy of Life Elegy of Life

Born on this day in 1926 soprano Galina Vishnevskaya.

By on October 25, 2019 at 10:23 AM
44 comments
Allmächt’ge Jungfrau Allmächt’ge Jungfrau

Happy 64th birthday soprano Cheryl Studer.

By on October 24, 2019 at 8:00 AM
10 comments
Quand même Quand même

Born on this day in 1844 actress Sarah Bernhardt.

By on October 23, 2019 at 11:19 AM
32 comments
Nothing was shirked Nothing was shirked

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

By on October 22, 2019 at 10:38 AM
6 comments
Canta che ti passa Canta che ti passa

Happy 93rd birthday soprano Virginia Zeani.

By on October 21, 2019 at 8:36 AM
5 comments
About a boy About a boy

On this day in 1954 Mary Martin flew into Broadway in Peter Pan.

By on October 20, 2019 at 11:39 AM
4 comments
A glimpse of stocking A glimpse of stocking

On this day in 1987 a new production of the Cole Porter classic Anything Goes opened at the Vivian Beaumont theater, starring Patti LuPone.

By on October 19, 2019 at 8:00 AM
43 comments
Dreißig Dollar Dreißig Dollar

Born on this day in 1898 actress, singer and muse Lotte Lenya.

By on October 18, 2019 at 8:00 AM
36 comments
Dark eyes Dark eyes

Born on this day in 1962 baritone Dmitri Hvorostovsky.

By on October 16, 2019 at 8:00 AM
5 comments
Giovane e prode è desso Giovane e prode è desso

On this day in 1964 the Metropolitan Opera’s opening night boasted a new Nathaniel Merrill production of Aida.

By on October 14, 2019 at 8:00 AM
11 comments
Nothing to fear Nothing to fear

Happy 70th birthday soprano Leona Mitchell.

By on October 13, 2019 at 1:10 PM
4 comments
You don’t need analyzing You don’t need analyzing

On this day in 1950 Irving Berlin‘s musical Call Me Madam opened at the Imperial Theatre, to run 644 performances.

By on October 12, 2019 at 12:04 PM
6 comments
The rainbow connection The rainbow connection

Happy National Coming Out Day!

By on October 11, 2019 at 10:31 AM
5 comments
Out of the shadows Out of the shadows

On this day 100 years ago Die Frau ohne Schatten premiered at the Vienna State Opera.

By on October 10, 2019 at 1:00 AM
23 comments
Child’s play Child’s play

On this day in 1986 baritone Thomas Hampson made his Metropolitan Opera debut as Count Almaviva.

By on October 09, 2019 at 10:36 AM
3 comments
Craftsmanship Craftsmanship

On this day in 1988 Dolora Zajick made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Azucena.

By on October 08, 2019 at 8:00 AM
3 comments
Infused with individuality Infused with individuality

On this day in 1965 mezzo-soprano Grace Bumbry made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Eboli.

By on October 07, 2019 at 8:00 AM
71 comments
“It is hard to describe the thrill of creative joy” “It is hard to describe the thrill of creative joy”

Born on this day in 1887 soprano Maria Jeritza.

By on October 06, 2019 at 12:29 PM
10 comments
The glamorous life The glamorous life

Happy 96th birthday actress Glynis Johns.

By on October 05, 2019 at 8:00 AM
21 comments
“I only do what I like to do” “I only do what I like to do”

Happy 63rd birthday actor Christoph Waltz.

By on October 04, 2019 at 8:00 AM
3 comments
Direct and terrible Direct and terrible

Born on this day in 1859 actress Eleanora Duse.

By on October 03, 2019 at 8:00 AM
10 comments
“I intend to live forever, or die trying” “I intend to live forever, or die trying”

Born on this day in 1890 actor, comedian, author and television personality Groucho Marx.

By on October 02, 2019 at 8:00 AM
14 comments
“Sometimes I’m so sweet even I can’t stand it” “Sometimes I’m so sweet even I can’t stand it”

Happy 84th birthday Julie Andrews!

By on October 01, 2019 at 8:00 AM
13 comments