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.

Youth has no age Youth has no age

Happy 53rd birthday soprano Angela Gheorghiu.

By September 07, 2018 at 8:00 AM
13 comments
Funny lady Funny lady

Happy 81st birthday to one of La Cieca’s very first divas, comedienne and actress Joanne Worley.

By September 06, 2018 at 6:47 AM
1 comment
Blonde fury Blonde fury

Happy 58th birthday soprano Karita Mattila. 

By September 05, 2018 at 7:00 AM
36 comments
Dame theory Dame theory

Happy 54th birthday bass René Pape.

By September 04, 2018 at 7:00 AM
1 comment
A career takes more than talent A career takes more than talent

Born on this day in 1910 singer, actress, TV panelist and arts activist Kitty Carlisle Hart.

By September 03, 2018 at 7:47 AM
7 comments
Bows and arias Bows and arias

On this day in 1829 Rossini’s Guillaume Tell premiered in Paris.

By August 31, 2018 at 9:10 AM
15 comments
The man who played God The man who played God

Born on this day in 1926 baritone Thomas Stewart.

By August 29, 2018 at 12:49 PM
9 comments
The long haul The long haul

Happy 77th birthday bass Paul Plishka.

By August 28, 2018 at 10:30 AM
4 comments
Eire long Eire long

Happy 69th birthday Irish mezzo-soprano (not Canadian pop singer) Ann Murray. 

By August 27, 2018 at 9:44 AM
2 comments
Amber alert Amber alert

Born on this day in 1918 composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein. 

By August 25, 2018 at 8:00 AM
21 comments
Indefatigable Indefatigable

Happy 62nd birthday director Francesca Zambello.

By August 24, 2018 at 8:00 AM
4 comments
Truth or Dare Truth or Dare

>Happy 64th birthday actor, playwright, cabaret performer, drag legend, raconteur and clothes horse Charles Busch.

By August 23, 2018 at 8:00 AM
3 comments
I hate writing, I love having written I hate writing, I love having written

Born on this day in 1893 poet, writer, critic and satirist Dorothy Parker. 

By August 22, 2018 at 8:34 AM
2 comments
Dame of thrones Dame of thrones

Happy 85th birthday mezzo-soprano Janet Baker. 

By August 21, 2018 at 8:18 AM
2 comments
What is it you Comte face? What is it you Comte face?

On this day in 1828 Rossini’s Le Comte d’Ory premiered in Paris.

By August 20, 2018 at 8:00 AM
28 comments
“In order to be irreplaceable one must always be different” “In order to be irreplaceable one must always be different”

Born on this day in 1883 designer Coco Chanel.

By August 19, 2018 at 8:00 AM
4 comments
Variation on a theme Variation on a theme

Born on this day in 1912, 1908, 1905 or perhaps 1900, soprano Miliza Korjus.

By August 18, 2018 at 8:00 AM
1 comment
Action speaks louder than words Action speaks louder than words

Born in Bushwick on this day in 1893 actress, singer, playwright, screenwriter, comedian and sex symbol Mae West.

By August 17, 2018 at 8:00 AM
5 comments
Sexagenarian Sexagenarian

Happy 60th birthday Madonna.

By August 16, 2018 at 8:00 AM
1 comment
“You grow up the day you have the first real laugh at yourself” “You grow up the day you have the first real laugh at yourself”

Born on this day in 1879 “The First Lady of the American Theatre,” Ethel Barrymore.

By August 15, 2018 at 12:41 PM
1 comment
Angels of music Angels of music

Happy 58th birthdays to soprano Cecilia Gasdia and actress/singer Sarah Brightman.

By August 14, 2018 at 8:00 AM
Comment
Project runway Project runway

Happy 83rd birthday Opernregisseur Harry Kupfer.

By August 12, 2018 at 2:04 PM
Comment
Merry birthday Merry birthday

Happy 66th birthday soprano Ashley Putnam.

By August 10, 2018 at 9:32 AM
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Shine on you crazy diamond

Happy 59th birthday soprano Maria Guleghina. 

By August 09, 2018 at 9:23 AM
2 comments