La Cieca is naturally drawn to a headline reading “Upheaval at the Opera House” as bees to honey or ugly to a bear. Imagine her surprise, then, when the titular upheaval has nothing to do with Dallas Opera, the New York City Opera, La Scala, or even the Met. So far as she can make out from an article so insidery as to border on the oracular, some renovations are afoot at Disneyland that will change the configuration of the “Old Opera House” attraction in the Main Street area of the celebrated theme park. Under consideration is the return of the campy “animatronic” Abraham Lincoln who for many years graced the stage of the Old Opera House. Mr. Lincoln is, as you may know, hotter now that he has been for many a year, what with being the role model for President Obama and, skedded for a 2011 release, a biopic of the Great Emancipator directed by Stephen Spielberg and starring Liam Neeson.

Okay, La Cieca admits this posting is very light indeed in operatic content. But that word “upheaval” just lights a fire in her, that’s all.

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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