In a startling double-reverse action, the board of the New York City Opera has chosen George Steel as the company’s new General Director. The formal announcement of Steel’s appointment made moments ago (as, need one say, La Cieca predicted) in the New York Times. Steel, whose 14-week incumbency as General Manager of Dallas Opera has been mostly uneventful so far, previously had announced he was “not interested” in the NYCO position.

According to a source close to NYCO, Steel was one of two finalists for the position; the other was stage director Francesca Zambello, who has frequently produced operas for the company. The source added that what seemed to tip the scales in Steel’s favor was the support of board member Mary Sharp Cronson.  That’s “Sharp” as in The Peter Jay Sharp Foundation, which has awarded NYCO over $10 million since 1992.

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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