As part of the “new look” of parterre.com, La Cieca is going to try inserting a player for each new episode of Unnatural Acts of Opera. And this Act is perhaps a little more Unnatural than most, since it’s the beginning of a multipart tribute to parterre box icon Diana Soviero.
Faust (Gounod) Acts 1 and 2
Faust: Neil Shicoff
Mephistopheles: Samuel Ramey
Valentin: Richard Stilwell
Siebel: Gwendolyn Jones
Marguerite: Diana Soviero
Tulsa Opera, March 1986. Edoardo Mueller.
And, as La Cieca’s very special guest, the legendary Enzo Bordello reporting from Chicago.
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.
