“Each year seems to bring a fresh height for Fleming. Not since the sunny days of Beverly Sills has an American opera singer enjoyed so much popularity. And not since the brief, heady reign of Maria Callas has a soprano provided so much glamour to go with all the vocal appeal.” Tim Smith, in the Baltimore Sun.

UPDATE:  Since one of La Cieca’s best-known qualities is her utter inability to let bygones be bygones, she should not feel this posting would be complete without a reference to that much-discussed moment in La Fleming’s career, her “controversial” Milan interpretation of the eponymous poisoness in Lucrezia Borgia.

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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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