Photo: Andrew Eccles / DeccaSoprano Renée Fleming, target of a jibe or three on this site over the years, shows what finer stuff she’s made of on January 11 when she gives a recital for the benefit of Treatment Action Group in the intimate setting of a SoHo loft, recently dubbed “Carnegie Hall South” in the New York Times.

Fleming will be joined jazz pianist/composer Fred Hersch for a program of popular and classical selections. Here’s more information on tickets to the event.

Treatment Action Group, La Cieca is informed, is an AIDS research policy think tank that has its roots in ACT UP. In the 15+ years that TAG has been around, it’s been instrumental in setting the US and Global agenda for HIV research. In particular, TAG established the idea of expanded access whereby patients without other options could gain access to experimental medicines without being in clinical trials. They’ve been a constant force in demanding the types of basic research and clinical studies that meet the need of patients in the real world. Recently, their focus has expanded to include tuberculosis and hepatitis which are responsible for so many of the deaths due to HIV outside the US.

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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