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.

Star-flaming Star-flaming

On this day in 1791 Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte premiered in Vienna.

By on September 30, 2019 at 7:00 AM
4 comments
Here I stand, the goddess of desire Here I stand, the goddess of desire

Born on this day in 1942 actress Madeline Kahn.

By on September 29, 2019 at 12:34 AM
11 comments
A strapping fellow with a plangent and sizable voice A strapping fellow with a plangent and sizable voice

On this day in 1968 tenor Plácido Domingo made his official Metropolitan Opera debut as Maurizio in Adriana Lecouvreur.

By on September 28, 2019 at 8:00 AM
8 comments
Who’s that woman? Who’s that woman?

Born on this day in 1923 actress and singer Mary McCarty.

By on September 27, 2019 at 8:57 AM
13 comments
“It’s best when you improvise” “It’s best when you improvise”

Born on this day in 1898 composer George Gershwin.

By on September 26, 2019 at 8:00 AM
9 comments
High flying, adored High flying, adored

Forty years ago today a new musical, Evita, opened at the Broadway Theatre, beginning a run of 1,567 performances.

By on September 25, 2019 at 8:00 AM
14 comments
Slam and slam again Slam and slam again

On this day in 1982 the Larry Grossman / Betty Comden / Adolph Green musical A Doll’s Life opened on Broadway and closed after five performances.

By on September 23, 2019 at 8:00 AM
14 comments
Un Eden di delizia Un Eden di delizia

Happy 78th birthday soprano Anna Tomowa-Sintow.

By on September 22, 2019 at 8:00 AM
90 comments
Things to overcome Things to overcome

On this day in 1968 mezzo-soprano Shirley Verrett made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Carmen.

By on September 21, 2019 at 8:00 AM
4 comments
Carina Carina

Happy 85th birthday actress Sophia Loren!

By on September 20, 2019 at 8:00 AM
38 comments
Curtain up! Light the lights! Curtain up! Light the lights!

On this day in 1974 the Winter Garden Theatre was evacuated due to a bomb threat.

By on September 19, 2019 at 8:10 AM
14 comments
“Maybe because I’m a nice and sweet person in life, I like the darker roles” “Maybe because I’m a nice and sweet person in life, I like the darker roles”

Happy 48th birthday soprano Anna Netrebko.

By on September 18, 2019 at 8:57 AM
27 comments
“On stage, I am in the dark” “On stage, I am in the dark”

Departed this world on this day 42 years ago in Paris.

By on September 16, 2019 at 7:54 AM
40 comments
Slapstick Tragedienne Slapstick Tragedienne

Born on this day in 1933 actor and director Zoe Caldwell.

By on September 14, 2019 at 12:12 PM
7 comments
“Market value is irrelevant to intrinsic value” “Market value is irrelevant to intrinsic value”

Born on this day in 1874 composer Arnold Schoenberg.

By on September 13, 2019 at 8:00 AM
8 comments
And Carthage flames tomorrow And Carthage flames tomorrow

Born on this day in 1938 mezzo-soprano Tatiana Troyanos.

By on September 12, 2019 at 9:51 AM
72 comments
Learning scales will never seem so sweet again Learning scales will never seem so sweet again

Born on this day in 1899 West End, Broadway and film crooner Georges Metaxa.

By on September 11, 2019 at 8:04 AM
1 comment
Paris original Paris original

Born on this day in 1890 fashion designer Elsa Schiaparelli.

By on September 10, 2019 at 9:49 AM
39 comments
“We are asleep until we fall in love!” “We are asleep until we fall in love!”

Born on this day in 1828 writer Lev Nikolayevich “Leo” Tolstoy.

By on September 09, 2019 at 10:17 AM
81 comments
Crazy Crazy

Born on this day in 1932 singer Patsy Cline.

By on September 08, 2019 at 11:05 AM
12 comments
Shout it out loud Shout it out loud

Born on this day in 1937 big-voiced comic actress Joanne Worley.

By on September 06, 2019 at 11:25 AM
35 comments
Tweet dreams Tweet dreams

Happy 59th birthday soprano Karita Mattila.

By on September 05, 2019 at 8:00 AM
106 comments
Pape Idol Pape Idol

Happy 55th birthday bass René Pape.

By on September 04, 2019 at 10:26 AM
130 comments
Grande dame Grande dame

Born on this day in 1910 singer, actress and arts administrator Kitty Carlisle Hart.

By on September 03, 2019 at 10:46 AM
6 comments