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.

Summer madness Summer madness

On this day in 1967, the Metropolitan Opera presented La Gioconda as part of Lincoln Center’s Festival ’67.

By on June 20, 2019 at 8:00 AM
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Ultramontane Ultramontane

Born on this day 1854 composer Alfredo Catalani.

By on June 19, 2019 at 11:48 AM
21 comments
Burning down the house Burning down the house

Happy 76th birthday soprano Eva Marton.

By on June 18, 2019 at 10:36 AM
17 comments
Divine redeemer Divine redeemer

Born on this day in 1818 composer Charles-François Gounod.

By on June 17, 2019 at 8:00 AM
6 comments
St. Louis woman St. Louis woman

Born on this day in 1899 dramatic soprano Helen Traubel.

By on June 16, 2019 at 8:00 AM
85 comments
Class act Class act

Happy 89th birthday stage designer and director Pier Luigi Pizzi.

By on June 15, 2019 at 9:43 AM
1 comment
Late winter, early spring Late winter, early spring

On this day in 1967 soprano Elisabeth Grümmer made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Elsa in Lohengrin.

By on June 14, 2019 at 10:36 AM
169 comments
“I’m Liberace without a piano” “I’m Liberace without a piano”

Born on this day in 1926 actor and comedian Paul Lynde.

By on June 13, 2019 at 8:00 AM
20 comments
No matter how hopeless No matter how hopeless

Born on this day in 1930 comic actor, baritone and gay icon Jim Nabors.

By on June 12, 2019 at 11:31 AM
15 comments

Born on this day in 1864 composer Richard Strauss and in 1913 mezzo-soprano Risë Stevens.

By on June 11, 2019 at 8:04 AM
49 comments
Everybody sing Everybody sing

Born on this day in 1922 Miss Show Business.

By on June 10, 2019 at 9:06 AM
50 comments
Schumann, all too Schumann Schumann, all too Schumann

Born on this day in 1810 composer Robert Schumann.

By on June 08, 2019 at 8:00 AM
12 comments
Perhaps perhaps perhaps Perhaps perhaps perhaps

Happy 56th birthday tenor Roberto Alagna!

By on June 07, 2019 at 10:04 AM
10 comments
A sky full of stars A sky full of stars

Happy 80th birthday tenor Giacomo Aragall.

By on June 06, 2019 at 8:00 AM
21 comments
Maid that way Maid that way

Happy 54th birthday soprano Sandrine Piau.

By on June 05, 2019 at 8:00 AM
38 comments
When in Rome When in Rome

Happy 53rd birthday mezzo-soprano Cecilia Bartoli.

By on June 04, 2019 at 8:00 AM
32 comments
Juan more time Juan more time

Happy 54th birthday baritone Peter Mattei.

By on June 03, 2019 at 8:00 AM
19 comments

Happy 70th birthday tenor Neil Shicoff.

By on June 02, 2019 at 8:00 AM
16 comments
Isn’t it bliss? Don’t you approve? Isn’t it bliss? Don’t you approve?

Happy 74th birthday mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade.

By on June 01, 2019 at 8:00 AM
1 comment
A little bit more A little bit more

On this day in 1979 distinguished film actress Liv Ullmann made her Broadway song-and-dance bow.

By on May 31, 2019 at 9:35 AM
34 comments
Portrait of a lady Portrait of a lady

Born on this day in 1931 mezzo-soprano/soprano Shirley Verrett.

By on May 30, 2019 at 8:00 AM
44 comments
Never darken my Dior again! Never darken my Dior again!

Born on this day in 1894 actress, comedienne and diseuse Beatrice Lillie.

By on May 29, 2019 at 12:33 PM
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Magic mike Magic mike

Born on this day in 1924 record and video producer John Culshaw.

By on May 28, 2019 at 8:00 AM
71 comments
“Patriotism consists not in waving the flag, but in striving that our country shall be righteous as well as strong” “Patriotism consists not in waving the flag, but in striving that our country shall be righteous as well as strong”

Happy Memorial Day, US Paterrians. 

By on May 27, 2019 at 10:25 AM
29 comments