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 day the clown cried The day the clown cried

On this day in 1960 tenor Jon Vickers made his Metropolitan Opera debut as Canio.

on January 17, 2018 at 1:34 PM
Who could ask for anything more? Who could ask for anything more?

Born on this day in 1908 Broadway diva Ethel Merman.

on January 16, 2018 at 12:01 PM
“No operatic star has yet died soon enough for me” “No operatic star has yet died soon enough for me”

On this day in 1942 conductor Sir Thomas Beecham made his Metropolitan Opera debut.

on January 15, 2018 at 11:30 AM
A shocker is born A shocker is born

On this day in 1900 Puccini’s Tosca premiered in Rome.

on January 14, 2018 at 1:42 PM
Tales of the glass ceiling Tales of the glass ceiling

On this day in 1976 conductor Sarah Caldwell made history with her Metropolitan Opera debut.

on January 13, 2018 at 11:00 AM
There’s no business like shoe business There’s no business like shoe business

On this day in 1912 Pietro Mascagni’s Lodoletta had its United States premiere at the Metropolitan with Geraldine Farrar and Enrico Caruso in the leading roles.

on January 12, 2018 at 10:32 AM
Seligstes Weib! Seligstes Weib!

On this day in 1934 soprano Lotte Lehmann made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Sieglinde.

on January 11, 2018 at 9:54 AM
I’m a bad, bad man I’m a bad, bad man

Happy 83rd birthday to baritone Sherrill Milnes.

on January 10, 2018 at 9:20 AM
“Opera has no business making money” “Opera has no business making money”

Born on this day in 1902 impresario and opera manager Rudolf Bing.

on January 09, 2018 at 10:21 AM
“I like melody!” “I like melody!”

Born on this day in 1926 soprano Evelyn Lear.

on January 08, 2018 at 9:04 AM
Su, profetessa! Su, profetessa!

On this day in 1955 contralto Marian Anderson made her historic Metropolitan Opera debut.

on January 07, 2018 at 10:26 AM
“I was born to do this” “I was born to do this”

Born on this day in 1412 martyr and saint Jeanne d’Arc.

on January 06, 2018 at 8:41 AM
Es werde Licht! Es werde Licht!

Born on this day in 1917 opera director Wieland Wagner.

on January 05, 2018 at 7:55 AM
Fatal beauty Fatal beauty

Happy 81st birthday to sempiternal songstress Grace Bumbry.

on January 04, 2018 at 7:41 AM
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