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.

“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
If loving you is sarong I don’t want to to right If loving you is sarong I don’t want to to right

Born on this day in 1914 actress and singer Dorothy Lamour.

on December 10, 2017 at 12:13 PM
“It would appear that I have tried everything except incest and folkdancing” “It would appear that I have tried everything except incest and folkdancing”

Born on this day in 1897 actress Hermione Gingold.

on December 09, 2017 at 11:01 AM
Diamonds are forever Diamonds are forever

On this day in 1949 the Jule Styne musical Gentlemen Prefer Blondes opened on Broadway.

on December 08, 2017 at 2:30 PM
“I was crowned before I was king” “I was crowned before I was king”

Born on this day in 1863 composer Pietro Mascagni.

on December 07, 2017 at 9:16 AM
Everybody wants to take a vow Everybody wants to take a vow

On this day in 1966 the Harvey Schmidt-Tom Jones two-character musical I Do! I Do! opened  at the 46th Street Theatre, to run 560 performances

on December 05, 2017 at 11:26 AM
Could stop singing Could stop singing

Born on this day in 1921 actress and singer Deanna Durbin.

on December 04, 2017 at 10:29 AM
An hour of pomp and show An hour of pomp and show

On this day in 1953 the Wright-Forrest-Borodin musical Kismet opened at the Ziegfeld Theatre, to run 583 performances.

on December 03, 2017 at 8:00 AM
Athánati Athánati

Born on this day in 1923.

on December 02, 2017 at 8:00 AM
Miss De La Hoya of petty cash Miss De La Hoya of petty cash

On this day in 1968 the Burt Bacharach / Hal David / Neil Simon musical Promises Promises opened on at the Shubert Theatre, to run 1,281 performances.

on December 01, 2017 at 8:00 AM
Dolce pensiero Dolce pensiero

On this day in 1990 Lella Cuberli made her Metropolitan Opera debut in the title role of Semiramide.

on November 30, 2017 at 8:00 AM