The show goes on at Opera Barga tonight, though not exactly the same show as planned. Since the Berlin Sing-Akademie (hiss! hiss!) has managed to get an injunction against “their” Motezuma‘s being performed, Opera Barga has devised a “pasticcio” version using the original libretto (public domain) and music from several other Vivaldi operas.

And the plot continues to thicken: rumor has it that the Sing-Akademie is shopping Motezuma around to high rollers like the Berlin Staatsoper and some of the big recording companies. Though, frankly, La Cieca hasn’t heard all that many people saying, “Oh, all those other Vivaldi operas are just so familiar, what we need is a really new Vivaldi opera!” More on this swirl of controversy at Playbill Arts.

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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