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.

Smear-proof

Born on this day in 1904 maquillage mogul Max Factor Jr.

By August 18, 2019 at 4:21 PM
7 comments
Paradise comes suddenly near Paradise comes suddenly near

Born on this day in 1920 actress Maureen O’Hara.

By August 17, 2019 at 9:26 AM
33 comments
First Lady First Lady

Born on this day in 1879 actress Ethel Barrymore.

By August 15, 2019 at 8:00 AM
25 comments
Untarnished silver Untarnished silver

Happy 71st birthday soprano Kathleen Battle.

By August 13, 2019 at 8:23 AM
191 comments
Extension cords Extension cords

Born on this day in 1938 wide-ranging mezzo-soprano Huguette Tourangeau.

By August 12, 2019 at 12:25 PM
119 comments
Debutante Debutante

Happy 67th birthday soprano Ashley Putnam.

By August 10, 2019 at 8:00 AM
182 comments
Sing for your supper Sing for your supper

On this day in 1930 Betty Boop made her film debut in Max Fleischer’s cartoon Dizzy Dishes.

By August 09, 2019 at 8:00 AM
4 comments
Il divo Il divo

Born on this day in 1755 castrato and composer Luigi Marchesi.

By August 08, 2019 at 8:00 AM
34 comments
“Thou seest, the heavens, as troubled with man’s act, threaten his bloody stage” “Thou seest, the heavens, as troubled with man’s act, threaten his bloody stage”

It is speculated that on this day in 1607 William Shakespeare’s Macbeth was first performed.

By August 07, 2019 at 8:00 AM
3 comments
Bring on the beautiful girls Bring on the beautiful girls

Born on this day in 1911 actress and producer Lucille Ball.

By August 06, 2019 at 8:00 AM
10 comments
A world of wandering A world of wandering

Born on this day in 1890 conductor Erich Kleiber.

By August 05, 2019 at 8:00 AM
3 comments
Ariadne Inc. Ariadne Inc.

Happy 59th birthday soprano Deborah Voigt.

By August 04, 2019 at 11:13 AM
19 comments
Such stuff as dreams are made on Such stuff as dreams are made on

Happy 59th birthday baritone Simon Keenlyside.

By August 03, 2019 at 8:00 AM
15 comments
The clear light The clear light

Born on this day in 1925 theatre and opera director John Dexter.

By August 02, 2019 at 8:00 AM
4 comments
“Fashion comes and goes, but style is eternal” “Fashion comes and goes, but style is eternal”

Born on this day in 1936 designer Yves Saint-Laurent.

By August 01, 2019 at 8:00 AM
3 comments
Summer nights Summer nights

On this day in 1967 Judy Garland arrived At Home at the Palace for a four week engagement at the famed Broadway theater.

By July 31, 2019 at 8:00 AM
Comment
She burned too bright for this world She burned too bright for this world

Born on this day in 1818 writer Emily Bronte.

By July 30, 2019 at 8:00 AM
4 comments
Touch me in the morning Touch me in the morning

Happy 62nd birthday soprano Alessandra Marc.

By July 29, 2019 at 9:43 AM
75 comments
Old-Fashioned Wedding Old-Fashioned Wedding

On this day in 1964, Broadway diva Ethel Merman divorced academy Academy award-winning actor Ernest Borgnine.

By July 28, 2019 at 8:38 AM
13 comments
“Everything was believed except the truth” “Everything was believed except the truth”

Born on this day in 1824 dramatist Alexandre Dumas, fils.

By July 27, 2019 at 8:00 AM
1 comment
Me and my shadow Me and my shadow

Born on this day in 1875 psychiatrist and psychotherapist Carl Jung.

By July 26, 2019 at 8:00 AM
1 comment
C’est la saison d’amour C’est la saison d’amour

Born on this day in 1894 soprano Yvonne Printemps.

By July 25, 2019 at 8:00 AM
1 comment
“Life’s too short. I’m not!” “Life’s too short. I’m not!”

Happy 50th birthday singer and songstress Kristin Chenoweth.

By July 24, 2019 at 8:30 AM
10 comments
Rare bird Rare bird

Happy 47th birthday soprano Anja Harteros.

By July 23, 2019 at 8:43 AM
29 comments