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.

Born on this day in 1900 actress Agnes Moorehead.

on December 06, 2018 at 8:30 AM
You’re only human once You’re only human once

Born on this day in 1898 soprano and film diva soprano Grace Moore.

on December 05, 2018 at 8:26 AM
The mortgage lifter The mortgage lifter

Born on this day in 1921 singer and actress Deanna Durbin.

on December 04, 2018 at 8:20 AM
That girl! That girl!

On this day in 1983 soprano Aprile Millo made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Amelia in Simon Boccanegra.

on December 03, 2018 at 8:00 AM
Divine intervention Divine intervention

Born on this day in 1923.

on December 02, 2018 at 8:28 AM
Broadway melodies Broadway melodies

On this day no skies are gray on that great white way.

on December 01, 2018 at 7:35 AM
Parce qu’il fait froid et qu’il n’y a plus de feuilles Parce qu’il fait froid et qu’il n’y a plus de feuilles

On this day in 1962 conductor Ernest Ansermet made his in-house Metropolitan Opera debut conducting Pelléas et Mélisande.

on November 30, 2018 at 7:44 AM
The Met in low def The Met in low def

On this day in 1948 Verdi’s Otello was the first opera to be telecast from the Met.

on November 29, 2018 at 8:00 AM
Love walked in Love walked in

Born on this day in 1904 soprano Helen Jepson.

on November 28, 2018 at 9:20 AM
Which pleased me most Which pleased me most

On this day in 1843 Michael Balfe’s The Bohemian Girl premiered in London.

on November 27, 2018 at 7:32 AM
Rara avis Rara avis

On this day in 1961 soprano Joan Sutherland made her Metropolitan Opera debut in Lucia di Lammermoor.

on November 26, 2018 at 8:00 AM
She swam the moat She swam the moat

On this day in 1959, the musical Once Upon a Mattress transferred uptown to Broadway.

on November 25, 2018 at 9:24 AM
Poesia Poesia

On this day in 1938, two Met debuts in La bohème: tenor Jussi Bjoerling and soprano Mafalda Favero.

on November 24, 2018 at 7:55 AM
Giovin, giocondo, sì possente, bello Giovin, giocondo, sì possente, bello

On this day in 1903 tenor Enrico Caruso made his Metropolitan Opera debut as the Duke of Mantua. 

on November 23, 2018 at 8:00 AM
Thank you for the music Thank you for the music

Happy Thanksgiving USA Parterrians!

on November 22, 2018 at 8:00 AM
Dark shadows Dark shadows

On this day in 1967 Herbert von Karajan first appeared at the Metropolitan Opera conducting and directing Die Walküre.

on November 21, 2018 at 8:00 AM
Demons are forever Demons are forever

On this day in 1907 bass Fyodor Chaliapin made his Met debut in Boito’s Mefistofele.

on November 20, 2018 at 8:00 AM
Bichette Bichette

On this day in 1962 soprano Régine Crespin made her Metropolitan Opera debut as the Marschallin.

on November 19, 2018 at 8:00 AM
Vittoria! Vittoria!

On this day in 1974 tenor Jose Carreras made his Metropolitan Opera debut as Cavardossi.

on November 18, 2018 at 8:00 AM
Heck, I’d even play the maid Heck, I’d even play the maid

On this day in 1975 soprano Roberta Peters celebrated the 25th anniversary of her Met debut with a performance of Così fan tute.

on November 17, 2018 at 8:00 AM
Fire and ice Fire and ice

On this day in 1926 the US premiere and first Metropolitan Opera performance of Puccini’s Turandot.

on November 16, 2018 at 8:00 AM
Fully formed Fully formed

On this day in 1918 soprano Rosa Ponselle gave her first opera performance anywhere.

on November 15, 2018 at 8:00 AM
The woman, the goddess The woman, the goddess

Born on this day in 1926 soprano Leonie Rysanek.

on November 14, 2018 at 7:30 AM
Tempesta Tempesta

On this day in 1937 the National Broadcasting Company formed a full-sized symphony orchestra.

on November 13, 2018 at 10:59 AM