This week on “Unnatural Acts of Opera,” La Cieca presents what you might call an “ultragala” performance of La traviata — the four acts performed by four different celebrated interpreters of the role of Violetta.

For the first act, Anna Moffo is the courtesan, in a 1964 performance from La Scala. Gianni Raimondi is her Alfredo, and Herbert von Karajan conducts.

Before the act, La Cieca welcomes into the studio a legendary lady of the American legitimate theater, Miss Tallulah Bankhead, who favors us with a reading of a scene from the play Camille. Unnatural Acts of Opera

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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