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.
Happy 47th birthday baritone Mariusz Kwiecien.
On this day in 1954 Godzilla made his film debut in the classic kaiju film directed by Ishirö Honda.
On this day in 2005 mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato made her Met debut as Cherubino.
Born on this day in 1923 soprano Victoria de los Angeles.
Happy Halloween, cher public!
On this day in 1940, the musical Panama Hattie opened at the 46th Street Theatre, to run 501 performances.
On this day in 1956 Maria Callas made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Norma.
Born on this day in 1898 costume designer Edith Head.
On this day in 1958 the Metropolitan Opera opened its season with Tosca, featuring Renata Tebaldi, Mario del Monaco and George London.
On this day in 1959 mezzo-soprano Giulietta Simionato made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Azucena.
Born on this day in 1926 soprano Galina Vishnevskaya.
Happy 64th birthday soprano Cheryl Studer.
Born on this day in 1844 actress Sarah Bernhardt.
On this day in 1883 the Metropolitan Opera House opened with Gounod’s Faust.
Happy 93rd birthday soprano Virginia Zeani.
On this day in 1954 Mary Martin flew into Broadway in Peter Pan.
On this day in 1987 a new production of the Cole Porter classic Anything Goes opened at the Vivian Beaumont theater, starring Patti LuPone.
Born on this day in 1898 actress, singer and muse Lotte Lenya.
Born on this day in 1962 baritone Dmitri Hvorostovsky.
On this day in 1964 the Metropolitan Opera’s opening night boasted a new Nathaniel Merrill production of Aida.
Happy 70th birthday soprano Leona Mitchell.
On this day in 1950 Irving Berlin‘s musical Call Me Madam opened at the Imperial Theatre, to run 644 performances.
Happy National Coming Out Day!
On this day 100 years ago Die Frau ohne Schatten premiered at the Vienna State Opera.
Tell us: What was the best of 2025?
Parterre Box concludes the thrilling first year of Talk of the Town by inviting your lightning rod opinions on several more categories of operatic argumentation.
