Among the highlights of the English National Opera’s 2006-2007 season: Catherine Malfitano as the Kostelnicka in David Alden‘s Cold War era Jenufa, a new David McVicar production of Handel’s Agrippina starring Sarah Connolly and Rebecca Evans, plus the world premiere of the opera Gaddafi, based on the life and career of the “Guide of the First of September Great Revolution of the Socialist People’s Libyan Arab Jamahiriya.” Steve Chandra Savale (score) and Shan Khan (libretto) are responsible for the score and libretto; Gaddafi is played by the Irish-Indian rapper JC001. (Unfortunately, this new work comes too late for the ideal interpreter of the role of Muammar al-Gaddafi, tenor Franco Bonisolli, who milked his final earthly bow in 2003.)

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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