La Cieca

James Jorden (who writes under the names "La Cieca" and "Our Own JJ") is the founder and editor of parterre box. During his 20 year career as an opera critic he has written for the New York Times, Opera, Gay City News, Opera Now, Musical America and the New York Post. He has also raised his voice in punditry on National Public Radio. From time to time he has directed opera, including three unsuccessful productions of Don Giovanni, a work he hopes to return to someday. Currently he alternates his doyenne duties with writing a weekly column on opera for the New York Observer.


Les Martyrs Les Martyrs

Donizetti’s Les Martyrs in a broadcast from Vienna with Roberta Mantegna, John Osborn, and Mattia Olivieri

on September 30, 2023 at 9:00 AM
Il trovatore Il trovatore

San Francisco Opera’s first livestream (with a 48-hour on-demand viewing window) of the new season.

on September 20, 2023 at 4:22 PM
Out standing in the field Out standing in the field

Shaggy weltstar tenor murmurs the haunting love theme from Gladiator.

on September 18, 2023 at 10:28 AM
Don Carlo Don Carlo

From the Royal Opera House, London, starring soprano Lise Davidsen, tenor Brian Jagde and bass John Relyea, conducted by Bertrand de Billy.

on September 16, 2023 at 12:00 PM
Lise Davidsen in Recital with James Baillieu Lise Davidsen in Recital with James Baillieu

The Norwegian soprano sings a program of music by Wagner, Verdi, Tchaikovsky, Schubert, Strauss, Sibelius and Grieg.

on September 14, 2023 at 10:00 AM
Fly me to the moon Fly me to the moon

Lisette Oropesa has announced she will sing Norma “in the future.”

on September 13, 2023 at 7:00 AM
Last Night of the Proms 2023 Last Night of the Proms 2023

Soprano Lise Davidsen headlines.

on September 09, 2023 at 9:00 AM
Les Troyens Les Troyens

Live from the BBC Proms 2023.

on September 02, 2023 at 5:00 PM
Puppies! Puppies!

Born on this day in 1964 actor Keanu Reeves.

on September 02, 2023 at 6:00 AM
End of an era End of an era

The passing of Renata Scotto is perhaps the most significant and surely the saddest opera news story of 2023.

on September 01, 2023 at 10:00 AM
“My little Welsh brain just went boom” “My little Welsh brain just went boom”

A Welsh opera singer has said the art must have more LGBTQ+ representation if it is to survive.

on August 29, 2023 at 6:52 PM
I Capuleti e i Montecchi I Capuleti e i Montecchi

Elsa Dreisig and Aigul Akhmetshina star in a performance recorded at the Salzburg Festival August 19.

on August 26, 2023 at 9:00 AM
And in this corner… And in this corner…

Surely it is high time to choose a nickname for mauling maestro Sir John Eliot Gardiner.

on August 24, 2023 at 11:40 AM
The comeback The comeback

David Daniels has just confided that he has this week received two singing engagement offers in Europe.

on August 22, 2023 at 4:41 PM
Manon Manon

Streaming and discussion begin at 1:00 PM.

on August 19, 2023 at 10:58 AM
Positively teeming with sex Positively teeming with sex

One of my absolute favorite later Cole Porter lyrics.

on August 18, 2023 at 10:01 AM
Renata Scotto 1934-2023 Renata Scotto 1934-2023

The Italian soprano, pedagogue and mentor has died. She was 89.

on August 16, 2023 at 8:34 AM
Le prophète Le prophète

From the Festival Aix-en-Provence, July 15, 2023.

on August 05, 2023 at 10:00 AM
Double intensity Double intensity

Birthday boy Windycityoperaman‘s always spellbinding On This Day postings dominated the pageviews in July.

on August 01, 2023 at 10:05 AM
Der fliegende Holländer Der fliegende Holländer

Live from the Bayreuth Festival.

on August 01, 2023 at 9:28 AM
Siegfried Siegfried

Live from the Bayreuth Festival.

on July 29, 2023 at 7:00 AM
Tannhäuser Tannhäuser

Live from the Bayreuth Festival.

on July 28, 2023 at 7:00 AM
Die Walküre Die Walküre

Live from the Bayreuth Festival.

on July 27, 2023 at 12:12 AM
Das Rheingold Das Rheingold

Live from the Bayreuth Festival.

on July 26, 2023 at 10:00 AM
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