Announcing a new category on parterre.com, an award of sorts for examples of the garish, the gaudy, the over-the-top in things operatic. Not filth, mind you — we’re talking good, but just, you know, too much. La Cieca’s special jury prize for this type of operatic ham will be called “Le Jambon d’Or,” and our first recipient is the young basso Alexei Tikhomirov, who is currently honing his art at the Galina Vishnevskaya Opera Center.

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Of course La Cieca agrees that Mephisto is not supposed to be a subtle role; a “Jambon d”Or” performance of the part is surely preferable to a bland one. And yet, your doyenne cannot help but agree with the YouTube commenter whose assessment read, “Very enjoyable, but he seems to have studied at the Lou Diamond Philips Academy of Drama.”

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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