Revenge is a disc best served cold
By
La Cieca
Any article bearing the headline “I am doing this for the public” is sure to catch La Cieca’s attention. All the better when the “this” is a new recording of La traviata starring the exiles of Rome Opera, Daniela Dessì and Fabio Armiliato.
According to tipster Ercole Farnese, la Dessì is recording the Verdi tearjerker in Parma, under John Neschling. Tenor Armiliato was already scheduled to record his own CD of arias, and they decided to add more time to record the opera together. She adds it this will be a Traviata without cuts and without the interpolated high E-flat, as Verdi wrote it, “for a lyric soprano, not a coloratura.” The full article is here.
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.
