“La Diva Turca” died this morning in Milan. In tribute to the art of Leyla Gencer, here is the soprano in the final scenes of Bellini’s Norma at La Scala on January 13, 1965. She is joined in this performance by Bruno Prevedi (Pollione) and Nicola Zaccaria (Oroveso); Gianandrea Gavazzeni is the conductor.

UPDATE: The “Queen of the Pirates” is heard in complete performances of La Vestale, Francesca da Rimini, Don Giovanni and La Gioconda on Leyla Gencer at Unnatural Acts of Opera. Also, one of the cher public informs La Cieca that Gencer’s true year of birth was 1924, not 1928 as noted in the headline to this posting. However, La Cieca will not allow mere journalistic accuracy to deny Mme. Gencer the diva’s traditional prerogative to draw a veil over such trivia as chronological age.

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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