“As I have never in life felt the real bliss of love, I must erect a monument to the most beautiful of all my dreams, in which, from beginning to end, that love shall thoroughly satiated. I have in my head ‘Tristan and Isolde,’ the simplest, but most full-blooded musical conception. With the black flag which floats at the end of it I shall cover myself to die.” — Richard Wagner, in a letter to Liszt. La Cieca is proud and delighted to present as our next “Unnatural Act of Opera” one of the most full-blooded Tristans ever recorded, the 1952 Bayreuth Festival broadcast starring Ramon Vinay and Martha Moedl as the death-devoted pair. Herbert von Karajan conducts. Beginning tonight on Unnatural Acts of Opera.
Music of the Night
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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