By La Cieca No doubt about it, Stephanie Blythe needs to get another picture taken for the New York Times. (It was unflattering enough the first time around.)
On the other hand, it’s nice to have a general manager who says things like “I worship the ground Stephanie Blythe walks on,” and (ever adept at providing a mini-scoop) Peter Gelb lets it slip that la Blythe is in talks to sing Orfeo at the Met.
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.
Get our free weekly newsletter delivered to your email.
Parterre Box concludes the thrilling first year of Talk of the Town by inviting your lightning rod opinions on several more categories of operatic argumentation.
