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.

“I don’t pretend I am what I am not” “I don’t pretend I am what I am not”

Happy 81st birthday soprano Teresa Stratas.

By on May 26, 2019 at 12:15 PM
28 comments
“There are no shortcuts to any place worth going” “There are no shortcuts to any place worth going”

Born on this day in 1929 soprano and administrator Beverly Sills. 

By on May 25, 2019 at 8:00 AM
25 comments
Just sensational Just sensational

On this day in 1966 Angela Lansbury opened in Jerry Herman‘s Mame at the Winter Garden Theatre.

By on May 24, 2019 at 8:00 AM
4 comments
Why do birds suddenly appear Why do birds suddenly appear

Happy 83rd birthday soprano Ingeborg Hallstein.

By on May 23, 2019 at 8:00 AM
4 comments
Born to be wild Born to be wild

Born on this day in 1813 composer Richard Wagner.

By on May 22, 2019 at 11:23 AM
17 comments
Whether it’s win, place, or show Whether it’s win, place, or show

On this day 60 years ago, the imdominable Ethel Merman opened on Broadway in her greatest role.

By on May 21, 2019 at 8:21 AM
14 comments
Getting out of town Getting out of town

On this day in 1978 tenor Rockwell Blake made his Met debut on tour in Minneapolis as Don Ottavio.

By on May 20, 2019 at 8:00 AM
21 comments
“Do everything yourself” “Do everything yourself”

Born on this day in 1861 soprano Nellie Melba.

By on May 19, 2019 at 12:21 PM
83 comments
The basses are loaded The basses are loaded

Born on this day basses Ezio Pinza (1892) and Boris Christoff (1914).

By on May 18, 2019 at 1:11 PM
8 comments
It takes two It takes two

Double diva day!

By on May 17, 2019 at 8:00 AM
32 comments
Bass instinct Bass instinct

Happy 70th birthday bass Ferruccio Furlanetto. 

By on May 16, 2019 at 8:00 AM
Reply
(High) notes on camp (High) notes on camp

On this day in 1889 Massenet’s Esclarmonde premiered in Paris.

By on May 15, 2019 at 1:13 PM
40 comments
Look at her! Look at her!

On this day in 1957 the Bob Merrill musical New Girl in Town opened on Broadway.

By on May 14, 2019 at 10:56 AM
5 comments
Team player Team player

Born on this day in 1842 composer Arthur Sullivan.

By on May 13, 2019 at 11:26 AM
19 comments
Little flop of horrors Little flop of horrors

On this day in 1988 Carrie: The Musical opened at the Virginia Theatre, to run five performances.

By on May 12, 2019 at 1:03 PM
14 comments

On this day 1959 Judy Garland made her Metropolitan Opera House debut.

By on May 11, 2019 at 11:29 AM
15 comments
I guess that’s why they call it the blues I guess that’s why they call it the blues

On this day in 1907 Paul Dukas’ rarity Ariane et Barbe-bleue premiered in Paris with soprano Georgette Leblanc in the leading role.

By on May 10, 2019 at 10:13 AM
23 comments

Happy 64th birthday mezzo-soprano Anne Sofie von Otter.

By on May 09, 2019 at 8:15 AM
7 comments
Sun king Sun king

Happy birthday to countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo.

By on May 08, 2019 at 10:36 AM
3 comments
Gold coast Gold coast

On this day in 2018 the Metropolitan Opera celebrated 50 years at Lincoln Center.

By on May 07, 2019 at 12:35 PM
3 comments
Lucky strike Lucky strike

On this day in 1955 the Richard Adler / Jerry Ross musical Damn Yankees opened at the 46th Street Theatre, to run 1019 performances. 

By on May 05, 2019 at 1:03 PM
2 comments
Debutante Debutante

Born on this day in 1930 soprano Roberta Peters.

By on May 04, 2019 at 10:33 AM
10 comments
Entrepreneur Entrepreneur

Born on this day in 1844 impresario Richard D’Oyly Carte.

By on May 03, 2019 at 8:33 AM
11 comments
Sweet comic valentine Sweet comic valentine

Born on this day in 1897 Broadway lyricist Lorenz Hart.

By on May 02, 2019 at 8:00 AM
16 comments