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.


Gilding Gilding

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 January 03, 2018 at 8:00 AM
Princess in captivity Princess in captivity

On this day in 2015 soprano Marjorie Owens made her Metropolitan Opera debut (and only Met performance thusfar) as Verdi’s Aida.

on January 02, 2018 at 9:10 AM
And one for Mahler And one for Mahler

On this day in 1908 composer conductor Gustav Mahler made his debut at the Metropolitan Opera conducting Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde.

on January 01, 2018 at 9:34 AM
Let’s make the new year far from a blue year Let’s make the new year far from a blue year

Happy New Year’s Eve, cher public!

on December 31, 2017 at 8:58 AM
Ladies in the shade Ladies in the shade

On this day in 1954 the Harold Arlen-Truman Capote musical House of Flowers opened on Broadway.

on December 30, 2017 at 8:50 AM
“Take chances, make mistakes” “Take chances, make mistakes”

Born on this day in 1936 actress Mary Tyler Moore.

on December 29, 2017 at 11:13 AM
Blue-eyed soul Blue-eyed soul

Happy 51st birthday tenor Piotr Beczala.

on December 28, 2017 at 7:30 AM
“I am at heart a gentleman” “I am at heart a gentleman”

Born on this day in 1901 actress and singer Marlene Dietrich.

on December 27, 2017 at 8:00 AM
“Without laughter life on our planet would be intolerable” “Without laughter life on our planet would be intolerable”

Born on this day in 1921, comedian/TV host/composer Steve Allen.

on December 26, 2017 at 8:00 AM
Merry Christmas, Parterrians! Merry Christmas, Parterrians!

Happy 36th birthday soprano Sonya Yoncheva.

on December 25, 2017 at 1:26 PM
“Does it bite?” “Does it bite?”

On this night in 1951 Menotti’s Amahl and the Night Visitors premiered on television.

on December 24, 2017 at 10:36 AM
O holy nightingale O holy nightingale

Happy 71st birthday soprano Edita Gruberova.

on December 23, 2017 at 8:00 AM
“Art is a kind of illness” “Art is a kind of illness”

Born on this day in 1858 composer Giacomo Puccini.

on December 22, 2017 at 10:23 AM
On with the dance On with the dance

On this day in 1921 Jerome Kern‘s Sally opened at the New Amsterdam Theatre, to run 561 performances.

on December 21, 2017 at 8:00 AM
What a joy to be young What a joy to be young

Born on this day in 1907 soprano Marion Talley.

on December 20, 2017 at 12:28 PM
“I think you have to pay for love with bitter tears” “I think you have to pay for love with bitter tears”

Born on this day in 1915 singer Edith Piaf.

on December 19, 2017 at 12:42 PM
Silver bell Silver bell

Born on this day in 1920 soprano Rita Streich with music for the holidays.

on December 18, 2017 at 9:58 AM
Iron man Iron man

On this day in 1398 the Turkic conqueror Tamerlane captured and sacked Delhi.

on December 17, 2017 at 3:35 PM
“It is discouraging how many people are shocked by honesty and how few by deceit” “It is discouraging how many people are shocked by honesty and how few by deceit”

Born on this day in 1899 composer, playwright and actor Noel Coward.

on December 16, 2017 at 9:56 AM
Woman of the century Woman of the century

Happy 100th birthday soprano Hilde Zadek!

on December 15, 2017 at 8:30 AM
Seine city Seine city

On this day in 1918 Puccini’s Il Trittico premiered at the Metropolitan Opera.

on December 14, 2017 at 8:03 AM
Mémoires en fuite Mémoires en fuite

Happy 90th birthday actress Genevieve Page.

on December 13, 2017 at 12:38 PM
“And maybe a candle” “And maybe a candle”

>Happy 60th birthday playwright, actor, film director and (sort of) opera director Robert Lepage.

on December 12, 2017 at 10:59 AM
Sing out, Lucille Sing out, Lucille

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.

on December 11, 2017 at 12:02 PM
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