For the first “regular” show of “Unnatural Acts of Opera,” La Cieca presents Shirley Verrett in Act One of Verdi’s Macbeth in a live (and lively!) performance from La Scala, the opening night of the 1975 season. This was surely one of the greatest nights of Verrett’s career, when Kunst and Stimm met in perfect conjunction. And this is by no means a one-woman show — in the title role we will hear Piero Cappuccilli. Rounding out the cast are Franco Tagliavini as Macduff and Nicolai Ghiaurov as Banquo. This live performance was led by Claudio Abbado. For more details and to hear the performance, visit Unnatural Acts of Opera.
Shirley was a Lady
By La Cieca La Cieca
James Jorden (who wrote under the names "La Cieca" and "Our Own JJ") was the founder and editor of parterre box. During his 20 year career as an opera critic he wrote for the New York Times, Opera, Gay City News, Opera Now, Musical America and the New York Post. He also raised his voice in punditry on National Public Radio. From time to time he directed opera, including three unsuccessful productions of Don Giovanni. He also contributed a regular column on opera for the New York Observer. James died in October 2023.
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