La Cieca is always delighted to hear the merest whisper of a rumor that her old, old, old friend Madame Vera Galupe-Borszkh has been encouraged to grace the lyric stage yet once more.  Therefore it is with the almost unutterable joy that your doynne notes that “La Dementia” will sing again in 2009 as a fitting finale to what may be the last musical season ever in New York City. A reliable source has revealed that the quasi-mythical traumatic soprano will tread the boards of the Thalia the last week of May 2009 in the company of erstwhile colleages Maestro Sergio Zawa and Carmelita della Vaca Browne.

Those of you who desire enlightenment as to the process by which a Galupe-Borszkh is born will be interested to know that the Man Behind the Legend, Ira Siff, will offer a master class on “Vocal Ease” under the auspices of the Metropolitan Opera Guild on December 9.

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