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.

“His execution was very considerable, and he was rather too fond of displaying it” “His execution was very considerable, and he was rather too fond of displaying it”

Born on this day in 1755 castrato and composer Luigi Marchesi.

By August 08, 2018 at 9:49 AM
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I know that this very minute has history in it I know that this very minute has history in it

Born on this day in 1911 actress and bass-baritone Lucille Ball.

By August 06, 2018 at 10:26 AM
2 comments
“A man who listens only to records is like one who eats only canned meat” “A man who listens only to records is like one who eats only canned meat”

Born on this day in 1890 conductor Erich Kleiber.

By August 05, 2018 at 9:14 AM
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Blondes have more fun Blondes have more fun

Happy 58th birthday soprano Deborah Voigt. 

By August 04, 2018 at 11:55 AM
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The dark knight rises The dark knight rises

Happy 58th birthday baritone Simon Keenlyside.

By August 03, 2018 at 7:00 AM
1 comment
Silver lining Silver lining

Happy 81st birthday soprano Gundula Janowitz.

By August 02, 2018 at 7:00 AM
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Father figure Father figure

Happy 92nd birthday bass Theo Adam.

By August 01, 2018 at 7:00 AM
1 comment
Password? Password?

Happy 53rd birthday writer J.K. Rowling!

By July 31, 2018 at 7:28 AM
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Femme fatale Femme fatale

Happy 55th birthday mezzo-soprano Olga Borodina.

By July 29, 2018 at 7:37 AM
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“You have to be able to enthral and persuade at the same time” “You have to be able to enthral and persuade at the same time”

Happy 77th birthday conductor Riccardo Muti.

By July 28, 2018 at 9:11 AM
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Portrait of a lady Portrait of a lady

Happy 66th birthday soprano Carol Vaness.

By July 27, 2018 at 9:32 AM
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Die Gärtnerin aus Liebe Die Gärtnerin aus Liebe

Happy 50th birthday soprano Anne Schwanewilms.

By July 26, 2018 at 7:00 AM
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“Lights are to drama what music is to the lyrics of a song” “Lights are to drama what music is to the lyrics of a song”

Born on this day in 1853 theatrical producer, impresario, director and playwright David Belasco.

By July 25, 2018 at 9:36 AM
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A nice pair of Jimmy Choos never hurt anyone A nice pair of Jimmy Choos never hurt anyone

Happy 50th birthday singer and actress Kristin Chenoweth.

By July 24, 2018 at 8:37 AM
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Gentlemen prefer mezzos Gentlemen prefer mezzos

Happy 58th birthday mezzo-soprano Susan Graham.

By July 23, 2018 at 9:48 AM
1 comment
Quelle cose che han nome poesia Quelle cose che han nome poesia

Born on this day in 1909 soprano Licia Albanese.

By July 22, 2018 at 11:19 AM
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Clair de Lune Clair de Lune

On this day in 1969, astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walked on the Moon.

By July 21, 2018 at 9:13 AM
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Class of the titans Class of the titans

Happy 80th birthday actress Dame Diana Rigg!

By July 20, 2018 at 7:28 AM
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No mockers and no scoffers No mockers and no scoffers

Born on this day in 1868 soprano Florence Foster Jenkins. 

By July 19, 2018 at 8:37 AM
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Play the favorita Play the favorita

Happy 52nd birthday to mezzo-soprano Vesselina Kasarova.

By July 18, 2018 at 8:21 AM
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“Every time I walked on the stage it was like I was walking into my life” “Every time I walked on the stage it was like I was walking into my life”

Born on this day in 1914 soprano Eleanor Steber.

By July 17, 2018 at 7:30 AM
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“We all desire that Change will come” “We all desire that Change will come”

Happy 62nd birthday playwright Tony Kushner.

By July 16, 2018 at 8:20 AM
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Almost like a dream Almost like a dream

Happy 39th birthday to Broadway’s Laura Benanti.

By July 15, 2018 at 10:50 AM
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A spark to pierce the dark A spark to pierce the dark

Born on this day in 1926 male actress Charles Pierce.

By July 14, 2018 at 9:00 AM
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