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.


No adjectives No adjectives

On this day in 1971 the Met revived Norma with its surefire team of Joan Sutherland and Marilyn Horne.

on September 17, 2018 at 9:43 AM
“Big, grand, impressive and vulgar” “Big, grand, impressive and vulgar”

On this day 52 years ago the new Metropolitan Opera House opened in Lincoln Center. 

on September 16, 2018 at 10:06 AM
A te sovrana augusta A te sovrana augusta

Happy 73rd birthday soprano Jessye Norman! 

on September 15, 2018 at 8:04 AM
The sweet things in life to you were just loaned The sweet things in life to you were just loaned

On this day, George White’s Scandals of 1931 opened on Broadway.

on September 14, 2018 at 8:37 AM
“Lucidity is the first purpose of color in music” “Lucidity is the first purpose of color in music”

Born on this day in 1874 composer Arnold Schoenberg. 

on September 13, 2018 at 8:00 AM
“Die Welt ist lieblich und nicht fürchterlich dem Mutigen” “Die Welt ist lieblich und nicht fürchterlich dem Mutigen”

Born on this day in 1938 mezzo-soprano Tatiana Troyanos. 

on September 12, 2018 at 8:00 AM
“Music means itself” “Music means itself”

Born on this day in 1825 critic Eduard Hanslick.  

on September 11, 2018 at 8:00 AM
The Firebrand of Florence The Firebrand of Florence

On this day in 1838 Berlioz’ Benvenuto Cellini premiered in Paris.

on September 10, 2018 at 8:00 AM
Do I hear a waltz? Do I hear a waltz?

Born on this day in 1828 writer Lev Nikolayevich “Leo” Tolstoy. 

on September 09, 2018 at 8:00 AM
She’s everything that every girl should be! She’s everything that every girl should be!

On this day in 1966, That Girl starring Marlo Thomas premiered on ABC.

on September 08, 2018 at 7:00 AM
Youth has no age Youth has no age

Happy 53rd birthday soprano Angela Gheorghiu.

on September 07, 2018 at 8:00 AM
Funny lady Funny lady

Happy 81st birthday to one of La Cieca’s very first divas, comedienne and actress Joanne Worley.

on September 06, 2018 at 6:47 AM
Blonde fury Blonde fury

Happy 58th birthday soprano Karita Mattila. 

on September 05, 2018 at 7:00 AM
Dame theory Dame theory

Happy 54th birthday bass René Pape.

on September 04, 2018 at 7:00 AM
A career takes more than talent A career takes more than talent

Born on this day in 1910 singer, actress, TV panelist and arts activist Kitty Carlisle Hart.

on September 03, 2018 at 7:47 AM
Bows and arias Bows and arias

On this day in 1829 Rossini’s Guillaume Tell premiered in Paris.

on August 31, 2018 at 9:10 AM
The man who played God The man who played God

Born on this day in 1926 baritone Thomas Stewart.

on August 29, 2018 at 12:49 PM
The long haul The long haul

Happy 77th birthday bass Paul Plishka.

on August 28, 2018 at 10:30 AM
Eire long Eire long

Happy 69th birthday Irish mezzo-soprano (not Canadian pop singer) Ann Murray

on August 27, 2018 at 9:44 AM
Amber alert Amber alert

Born on this day in 1918 composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein. 

on August 25, 2018 at 8:00 AM
Indefatigable Indefatigable

Happy 62nd birthday director Francesca Zambello.

on August 24, 2018 at 8:00 AM
Truth or Dare Truth or Dare

>Happy 64th birthday actor, playwright, cabaret performer, drag legend, raconteur and clothes horse Charles Busch.

on August 23, 2018 at 8:00 AM
I hate writing, I love having written I hate writing, I love having written

Born on this day in 1893 poet, writer, critic and satirist Dorothy Parker. 

on August 22, 2018 at 8:34 AM
Dame of thrones Dame of thrones

Happy 85th birthday mezzo-soprano Janet Baker. 

on August 21, 2018 at 8:18 AM
WordPress › Error

There has been a critical error on this website.

Learn more about troubleshooting WordPress.