odd_coupleWhen La Cieca’s wrong, she’s wrong. She really had no idea until today that Leontyne Price and Luciano Pavarotti shared the operatic stage any time besides that one-off Aida in San Francisco. But when confronted with proof in the form of an mp3, well, she’s going to be the first to admit her error.

Here, for your entertainment and La Cieca’s penance, is the final act of Il trovatore, as performed at the Wiener Staatsoper on May 8, 1977.

Act 4

Leonora: Leontyne Price; Azucena: Christa Ludwig; Manrico: Luciano Pavarotti; Il Conte di Luna: Piero Cappuccilli. Herbert von Karajan, conductor.

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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