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 1902 composer Richard Rodgers.
Born on this day in 1932 soprano Anna Moffo.
On this day in 1911, The Ziegfeld Follies opened at the rooftop Jardin de Paris.
Happy birthday baritone Jarrett Ott!
On this day in 1967 the Metropolitan Opera presented its first Met in the Parks performance in Crocheron Park, Bayside, Queens.
Born on this day in 1927 director-choreographer Bob Fosse.
Born on this day in 1906 filmmaker, screenwriter, producer, artist, and journalist Billy Wilder.
Born on this day in 1921 Oscar and Tony winning actress Judy Holliday.
On this day in 1967, the Metropolitan Opera presented La Gioconda as part of Lincoln Center’s Festival ’67.
Born on this day 1854 composer Alfredo Catalani.
Happy 76th birthday soprano Eva Marton.
Born on this day in 1818 composer Charles-François Gounod.
Born on this day in 1899 dramatic soprano Helen Traubel.
Happy 89th birthday stage designer and director Pier Luigi Pizzi.
On this day in 1967 soprano Elisabeth Grümmer made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Elsa in Lohengrin.
Born on this day in 1926 actor and comedian Paul Lynde.
Born on this day in 1930 comic actor, baritone and gay icon Jim Nabors.
Born on this day in 1864 composer Richard Strauss and in 1913 mezzo-soprano Risë Stevens.
Born on this day in 1922 Miss Show Business.
Born on this day in 1810 composer Robert Schumann.
Happy 56th birthday tenor Roberto Alagna!
Happy 80th birthday tenor Giacomo Aragall.
Happy 54th birthday soprano Sandrine Piau.
Happy 53rd birthday mezzo-soprano Cecilia Bartoli.
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.
