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 1956 the Metropolitan Opera celebrated the 25th anniversary of the debut of soprano Lily Pons with a special gala performance.
On this day in 2015 soprano Marjorie Owens made her Metropolitan Opera debut (and only Met performance thusfar) as Verdi’s Aida.
On this day in 1908 composer conductor Gustav Mahler made his debut at the Metropolitan Opera conducting Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde.
Happy New Year’s Eve, cher public!
On this day in 1954 the Harold Arlen-Truman Capote musical House of Flowers opened on Broadway.
Born on this day in 1936 actress Mary Tyler Moore.
Happy 51st birthday tenor Piotr Beczala.
Born on this day in 1901 actress and singer Marlene Dietrich.
Born on this day in 1921, comedian/TV host/composer Steve Allen.
Happy 36th birthday soprano Sonya Yoncheva.
On this night in 1951 Menotti’s Amahl and the Night Visitors premiered on television.
Happy 71st birthday soprano Edita Gruberova.
Born on this day in 1858 composer Giacomo Puccini.
On this day in 1921 Jerome Kern‘s Sally opened at the New Amsterdam Theatre, to run 561 performances.
Born on this day in 1907 soprano Marion Talley.
Born on this day in 1915 singer Edith Piaf.
Born on this day in 1920 soprano Rita Streich with music for the holidays.
On this day in 1398 the Turkic conqueror Tamerlane captured and sacked Delhi.
Born on this day in 1899 composer, playwright and actor Noel Coward.
Happy 100th birthday soprano Hilde Zadek!
On this day in 1918 Puccini’s Il Trittico premiered at the Metropolitan Opera.
Happy 90th birthday actress Genevieve Page.
>Happy 60th birthday playwright, actor, film director and (sort of) opera director Robert Lepage.
On this day in 1960 the Cy Coleman musical Wildcat (Lucille Ball‘s only Broadway show) opened at the Alvin Theatre, to run 141 performances.