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.

Here comes my girl Here comes my girl

On this day in 1989 soprano Sumi Jo made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Gilda.

on April 06, 2019 at 11:51 AM
A woman’s career A woman’s career

Born on this day in 1908 definitive American film actress Bette Davis.

on April 05, 2019 at 10:35 AM
Somebody, please buy a ticket to us Somebody, please buy a ticket to us

On this day in 1964 Stephen Sondheim’s Anyone Can Whistle premiered on Broadway and closed after nine performances.

on April 04, 2019 at 8:00 AM
E diedi il canto agli astri, al ciel E diedi il canto agli astri, al ciel

On this day in 1975 soprano Magda Olivero made her historical, belated Metropolitan Opera debut as Tosca.

on April 03, 2019 at 10:01 AM
Only the strong survive Only the strong survive

On this day in 1977 tenor Guy Chauvet made his Metropolitan Opera debut as Samson.

on April 02, 2019 at 9:24 AM
Happy April 1! Happy April 1!

At tonight’s performance of Das Rheingold, the role of Woglinde will be sung by Aprile Millo.

on April 01, 2019 at 8:49 AM
A pretty night A pretty night

On this day in 1999 the Metropolitan Opera presented its premiere of Carlisle Floyd‘s Susannah.

on March 31, 2019 at 12:13 PM
No small parts No small parts

On this day in 1970 tenor Nico Castel made his Metropolitan Opera debut as Don Basilo in Le nozze di Figaro.

on March 30, 2019 at 8:00 AM
“My whole life has been pledged to this meeting with you” “My whole life has been pledged to this meeting with you”

On this day in 1879 Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin premiered in Moscow.

on March 29, 2019 at 8:00 AM
All about that bass All about that bass

Happy 77th birthday bass Samuel Ramey. 

on March 28, 2019 at 11:02 AM
Say it soft and it’s almost like praying Say it soft and it’s almost like praying

Happy 69th birthday mezzo-soprano/soprano Maria Ewing. 

on March 27, 2019 at 12:52 PM
A bagel on a plate full of onion rolls A bagel on a plate full of onion rolls

On this day in 1964 the Jule Styne-Bob Merrill musical Funny Girl opened on Broadway.

on March 26, 2019 at 9:34 AM
The night Chicago died The night Chicago died

On this day in 1943 the Metropolitan Opera on tour performed La traviata at the Chicago Civic Opera House.

on March 25, 2019 at 10:38 AM
“Ah! That wonderful creature!” “Ah! That wonderful creature!”

Born on this day in 1808 prima donna Maria Malibran.

on March 24, 2019 at 2:09 PM
An unusually fine artist An unusually fine artist

On this day in 1977 soprano Ileana Cotrubas made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Mimi.

on March 23, 2019 at 9:00 AM
A saucerful of secrets A saucerful of secrets

Born on this day in 1912 soprano/mezzo-soprano Martha Mödl

on March 22, 2019 at 12:02 PM
Give me a ‘Ring’ sometime Give me a ‘Ring’ sometime

On this day in 1975 the Metropolitan Opera completed its first integral Ring cycle since 1962.

on March 21, 2019 at 9:01 AM
Meet acute Meet acute

Born on this day in 1890 two legendary tenors.

on March 20, 2019 at 11:22 AM
Our heroine Our heroine

Happy 73rd birthday soprano Diana Soviero.

on March 19, 2019 at 9:09 AM
Things to come Things to come

On this day in 1977 Alban Berg’s Lulu premiered at the Metropolitan Opera.

on March 18, 2019 at 9:13 AM
Out of the ordinary Out of the ordinary

On this day in 1951 soprano Victoria de los Angeles made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Marguerite.

on March 17, 2019 at 12:29 PM
Got to get you into my wife Got to get you into my wife

On this day in 1991 soprano Renée Fleming made her impromptu Metropolitan Opera stage debut as Countess Almaviva.

on March 16, 2019 at 10:49 AM
Five times a lady Five times a lady

On this day in 1956 Lerner and Loewe’s My Fair Lady opened at the Mark Hellinger Theatre, to run 2,717 performances.

on March 15, 2019 at 12:41 PM
Where have all the flowers gone? Where have all the flowers gone?

On this day in 1991, a new production of Wagner’s Parsifal premiered at the Metropolitan Opera.

on March 14, 2019 at 11:09 AM