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.
Happy 77th birthday soprano Kiri Te Kanawa.
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Born on this day in 1888 actress Rafaela Ottiano.
On this day in 1970 mezzo-soprano Marilyn Horne made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Adalgisa.
Born on this day in 1900 composer Kurt Weill.
On this day in 1979 Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler‘s Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street opens at the Uris Theatre, to run 557 performances.
Happy 73rd birthday to Broadway diva Bernadette Peters.
Born on this day in 1899 contralto Marian Anderson.
Born on this day in 1802 author and playwright Victor Hugo.
Happy 87th birthday soprano Renata Scotto.
Born on this day in 1927 soprano Régine Crespin.
Born on this day in 1921 actress Giulietta Masina.
Born on this day in 1911 or so actress Merle Oberon.
Born on this day in 1926 mezzo-soprano Rita Gorr.
On this day in 1904 Puccini’s Madama Butterfly had its disastrous premiere in Milan. Three years later, though…
Born on this day in 1908 ur-belter Ethel Merman.
On this day in 588 BC Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon laid siege to Jerusalem under Zedekiah’s reign.
Happy 88th birthday to actress Kim Novak.
Born on this day in 1925 actress Kim Stanley.
Born on this day in 1909 samba singer, dancer, Broadway actress and film star Carmen Miranda.
Happy 34th birthday to soprano Lise Davidsen!
On this day in 1928 soprano Grace Moore made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Mimì.
Born on this day in 1899 actor Ramon Novarro.
On this day in 1949 the legendary Mae West revived her 1928 play Diamond Lil at the Coronet Theatre, playing (ça va sans dire) the title role.
