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.

The father of us all The father of us all

Baptized on this day in 1567 composer Claudio Giovanni Antonio Monteverdi

By on May 15, 2024 at 6:00 AM
125 comments
Considerate la vostra semenza Considerate la vostra semenza

Born on this day in 1957 soprano Daniela Dessì

By on May 14, 2024 at 6:00 AM
76 comments
Utopia, limited Utopia, limited

Born on this day in 1842 composer Arthur Sullivan

By on May 13, 2024 at 6:00 AM
77 comments
It’s raining on prom night It’s raining on prom night

On this day in 1988 Carrie-The Musical opened on Broadway and closed after 5 performances

By on May 12, 2024 at 6:00 AM
78 comments
Stemmediva Stemmediva

Happy 61st birthday soprano Nina Stemme

By on May 11, 2024 at 6:00 AM
40 comments
Broad stripes and bright stars Broad stripes and bright stars

On this day in 1937 Stars Spangled Banner soprano Lucy Monroe made her only Metropolitan Opera performance as Musetta

By on May 10, 2024 at 6:00 AM
61 comments
In a very unusual way In a very unusual way

Happy 68th birthday mezzo-soprano Anne Sofie von Otter

By on May 09, 2024 at 6:00 AM
87 comments
Shiny happy people Shiny happy people

Happy 77th birthday soprano Felicity Lott

By on May 08, 2024 at 6:00 AM
73 comments
Uptown world Uptown world

On this day in 2017 the Metropolitan Opera celebrated 50 years at Lincoln Center

By on May 07, 2024 at 6:00 AM
92 comments
Sworded past Sworded past

Born on this day in 1941 soprano Ghena Dimitrova

By on May 06, 2024 at 6:00 AM
99 comments
London calling London calling

Born on this day in 1919 bass-baritone George London

By on May 05, 2024 at 6:00 AM
62 comments
Hört der Mutter Schwur Hört der Mutter Schwur

Born on this day in 1930 soprano Roberta Peters

By on May 04, 2024 at 6:00 AM
36 comments
Angel on my shoulder Angel on my shoulder

Happy 40th birthday soprano Angel Blue

By on May 03, 2024 at 6:00 AM
46 comments
Puppet maestro Puppet maestro

Conductor Valery Gergiyev turns 71

By on May 02, 2024 at 6:00 AM
85 comments
Pearl anniversary Pearl anniversary

On this day mezzo-soprano Christa Ludwig celebrated her 30th anniversary Metropolitan Opera performance as Fricka

By on May 01, 2024 at 6:00 AM
100 comments
Ne me touchez pas! Ne me touchez pas!

On this day in 1902 Debussy‘s Pelléas et Mélisande premiered in Paris

By on April 30, 2024 at 6:00 AM
52 comments
Conducting affairs Conducting affairs

Maestro day

By on April 29, 2024 at 6:00 AM
49 comments
Ship happens Ship happens

On this day in 1865 Meyerbeer‘s L’Africaine premiered in Paris

By on April 28, 2024 at 6:00 AM
37 comments
Temp’ring extremeties with extreme sweet Temp’ring extremeties with extreme sweet

Happy 81st birthday soprano Judith Blegen

By on April 27, 2024 at 6:00 AM
71 comments
In comes company In comes company

On this day in 2007 the Metropolitan Opera Debut of tenor Lawrence Brownlee as Almaviva

By on April 26, 2024 at 6:00 AM
87 comments
Gong with the wind Gong with the wind

On this day in 1926 Puccini‘s opera Turandot premiered in Milan

By on April 25, 2024 at 6:00 AM
61 comments
The greatest star The greatest star

Happy 82nd birthday Barbra Streisand

By on April 24, 2024 at 6:00 AM
78 comments
Put to pasture Put to pasture

On this day in 1775 Mozart‘s Il re pastore premiered in Salzburg

By on April 23, 2024 at 6:00 AM
20 comments
Godi, Fiorenza, poi che se’ sì grande Godi, Fiorenza, poi che se’ sì grande

Happy 89th birthday mezzo-soprano Fiorenza Cossotto

By on April 22, 2024 at 6:00 AM
57 comments