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.
On this day in 1870 Wagner’s Die Walküre premiered in Munich.
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On this day in 1967 the Metropolitan Opera presented its first Met in the Parks performance in Crocheron Park, Bayside, Queens: Puccini’s La Boheme.
Today is the 75th birthday of James Levine.
Born on this day in 1900 mezzo-soprano and teacher Jennie Tourel.
Happy 60th birthday mezzo-soprano Jennifer Larmore.
On this day in 1970, Regina Resnik celebrated her 25th anniversary at the Met with a performance of Carmen, part of the company’s first June Festival.
Happy 75th birthday soprano Eva Marton.
Born on this day in 1952 tenor Jerry Hadley.
Happy 88th birthday stage designer and director Pier Luigi Pizzi.
Born on this day in 1763 composer Simon Mayr.
On this day in 1855 Verdi’s Les Vêpres siciliennes premiered in Paris.
Born on this day in 1919 actress and theatre practitioner Uta Hagen.
Born on this day in 1864 composer Richard Strauss and in 1913 mezzo-soprano Risë Stevens.
Born on this day in 1922 Miss Show Business.
Born on this day in 1891 composer Cole Porter.
Born on this day in 1810 composer Robert Schumann.
Happy 55th birthday tenor Roberto Alagna.
Happy 79th birthday tenor Giacomo Aragall.
On this day in 1971, James Levine made his Metropolitan Opera debut.
Happy 52nd birthday mezzo-soprano Cecilia Bartoli.
Happy 53rd birthday baritone Peter Mattei!
Happy 69th birthday tenor Neil Shicoff.
The gayest tweet of all time ushers in mezzo-soprano Frederica von Stade‘s 73rd birthday.
On this day in 1817 Rossini’s La gazza ladra premiered in Milan.
