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.

The Goddess The Goddess

On this day on 1990 mezzo-soprano Christa Ludwig celebrated her 30th anniversary Metropolitan Opera performance as Fricka.

By on May 01, 2019 at 3:13 PM
18 comments
Quels enfants! Quels enfants!

On this day in 1902 Debussy’s Pelléas et Melisande premiered in Paris.

By on April 30, 2019 at 9:23 AM
1 comment
Conductivity Conductivity

Happy 83rd birthday maestro Zubin Mehta. 

By on April 29, 2019 at 9:15 AM
1 comment
Some othering time Some othering time

On this day in 1900 the play Madame Butterfly by David Belasco opened at the Duke of York’s Theatre in London.

By on April 28, 2019 at 8:00 AM
3 comments
Oh very young Oh very young

Happy 76th birthday soprano Judith Blegen.

By on April 27, 2019 at 8:21 AM
17 comments
The lady don’t mind The lady don’t mind

Happy 49th birthday soprano Eva-Maria Westbroek.

By on April 26, 2019 at 10:10 AM
17 comments
The answer’s in the question The answer’s in the question

On this day in 1926 Puccini’s opera Turandot premiered in Milan.

By on April 25, 2019 at 10:10 AM
3 comments
Now get out of here! Now get out of here!

Happy 64th birthday to performance artist Lypsinka.

By on April 24, 2019 at 11:01 AM
28 comments
What a day this has been What a day this has been

On this day in 1961, Judy Garland made the rafters of Carnegie Hall ring with her celebrated solo concert.

By on April 23, 2019 at 11:25 AM
12 comments
A little more mascara A little more mascara

Happy 83rd birthday mezzo-soprano Fiorenza Cossotto.

By on April 22, 2019 at 10:03 AM
3 comments
Muscle of love Muscle of love

On this day in 2005, the Metropolitan Opera presented a new production of Faust.

By on April 21, 2019 at 12:59 PM
20 comments
“No, that was me!” “No, that was me!”

On this day in 2015 Renée Fleming made her Broadway debut in Joe DiPietro‘s comedy Living on Love.

By on April 20, 2019 at 10:47 AM
7 comments
Me, Natalie Me, Natalie

Happy 54th birthday soprano Natalie Dessay.

By on April 19, 2019 at 12:02 PM
13 comments
For art For art

Happy 71st birthday soprano Catherine Malfitano. 

By on April 18, 2019 at 8:00 AM
33 comments
Don’t fach with me, fellas! Don’t fach with me, fellas!

Happy 79th (or so) birthday soprano/mezzo-soprano Anja Silja.

By on April 17, 2019 at 9:35 AM
60 comments
Out of the past Out of the past

Opera premieres on this day…

By on April 16, 2019 at 11:08 AM
9 comments
Entry of the ghosts Entry of the ghosts

Born on this day in 1843 novelist Henry James.

By on April 15, 2019 at 8:43 AM
6 comments
You can’t stop the divas You can’t stop the divas

Happy 61st birthday soprano Aprile Millo.

By on April 13, 2019 at 9:00 AM
5 comments
Three little birds Three little birds

Born on this day in 1933 soprano Montserrat Caballé.

By on April 12, 2019 at 8:18 AM
39 comments
Blonde faith Blonde faith

On this day in 1975 soprano Katia Ricciarelli made her Met debut as Mimi.

By on April 11, 2019 at 10:15 AM
21 comments
Spring awakening Spring awakening

On this day in 1996 tenor Roberto Alagna made his Met debut as Rodolfo.

By on April 10, 2019 at 10:45 AM
6 comments
Wild and whirling words Wild and whirling words

On this day in 1964, Richard Burton opened in Hamlet at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre.

By on April 09, 2019 at 11:11 AM
10 comments
Once upon a prince Once upon a prince

Born on this day in 1921 tenor Franco Corelli.

By on April 08, 2019 at 9:31 AM
6 comments
Star-spangled Rossini Star-spangled Rossini

On this day in 1975 soprano Beverly Sills made her official Met debut as Pamira.

By on April 07, 2019 at 10:50 AM
13 comments