Sharpen those nails and slather on a fresh coat of “Jungle Red,” ladies, because La Cieca hears that “it’s on” between two of the biggest players in NYC’s opera criticism power gay elite. (Well, admittedly that’s not a large pool of talent, but what they lack in numbers they more than make up for in venom.)  Anyway, the first bitch-slap of the season is delivered by Brian Kellow of Opera News, and foremost among the cheeks targeted are those of New York Times Jill-of-all-trades Anthony Tommasini.

Unfortunately, good old Opera hasn’t bothered to offer an online version of Kellow’s article or, indeed, any of their monthly load of codswallop, so La Cieca has taken the liberty of offering a scan of one of the more lurid passages:

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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