Before we start our daily Steelathon, La Cieca wants to ask you, cher public: which nickname should your doyenne use in future for the NYCO’s new honcho: “Two-Face” or “The Man of Steel?”

Okay, so our first story of the day is an editorial in the New York Times welcoming, well, you know who to town, though warning he “has his work cut out for him.” (Oh, Gray Lady, how you do turn a phrase!) Perhaps a more subtly ominous note is sounded in the final graf, when the Royal Editoral We admonish Steel, “His task will be not just to raise money and inspire his company. As he begins to take the measure of the board that hired him, we suspect he may also see the necessity of strengthening that board.” No names, please — as if any were needed!

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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