By La Cieca 
La Cieca (pictured) is delighted to host an afternoon Aïda chat for you, the cher public — all of whom she imagines as having something of the grave dignity and multiple chins of dear Sir Cedric Hardwicke.
The real-time chat is, as usual, over at La Casa della 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.
