La Cieca shouldn’t make fun of amazon.com, because, after all, amazon.com is a major sponsor of this site. But still, even a Benevolent Corporate Overlord goofs every now and again.

You probably know that for most CDs amazon sells, the web site offers a section of brief audio previews of each track. Very handy, especially in the case of a new release of an archival performance of Un ballo in maschera. An idiomatic conductor (Francesco Molinari-Pradelli) and a strong cast (José Carreras, Montserrat Caballé, Renato Bruson), to be sure — but the real attraction here is what appears to be an interpolated hip-hop sequence during the Ulrica scene:

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And people call Calixto Bieito “innovative!” Ha!

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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