Sharing the stage another diva in one’s identical fach always puts a girl on her mettle, La Cieca has always said, and no better proof of that just-invented shibboleth is there than this week’s edition of Unnatural Acts of Opera. Grace Bumbry and Shirley Verrett grace the stage of Carnegie Hall on January 31, 1982, in honor of Marian Anderson‘s 80th birthday.

Bumbry/Verrett in Concert, Part 1

Verdi: La battaglia di Legnano Overture
Ponchielli: La gioconda “E un anatema!” (Verrett, Bumbry)
Verdi: Macbeth “Nel dì della vittoria” (Verrett)
Spontini: La vestale “Tu che invoco” (Bumbry)
Donizetti: Anna Bolena “Sul suo capo aggravi un dio” (Bumbry, Verrett)

Opera Orchestra of New York, Eve Queler.

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.

Comments