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UPDATE: Dessay has “just now” confirmed she will go on for tonight’s performance, which begins in about 15 minutes.
EARLIER: La Cieca hears that Natalie Dessay‘s “insomnia” is flaring up again, so she will be unable to sleepwalk tonight. As of this moment, though, only five hours before the start of the opening performance of La sonnambula, the website for the Opéra Bastille still lists the soprano in the role of Amina — instead of Diletta Rizzo Marin, the substitute who has been rehearsing the role all weekend.
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.
Parterre Box concludes the thrilling first year of Talk of the Town by inviting your lightning rod opinions on several more categories of operatic argumentation.
Parterre Box concludes the thrilling first year of Talk of the Town by inviting your lightning rod opinions on several more categories of operatic argumentation.
UPDATE: Dessay has “just now” confirmed she will go on for tonight’s performance, which begins in about 15 minutes. 
