be_our_guestLa Cieca’s question here is exactly what we should be expecting Fabio Luisi to do as a “Guest” at the Met over the next few years? Will he get his own projects, or is going be end up relegated to being Jimmy’s standby (Der Levinespringer)?

Well, hard to say. The only other recent PGC was Valery Gergiev, who’s about as different in personality and style from Luisi as it’s possible to be. But, anyway: here’s what Gergiev did during his 10-year gig.

1998-99: Khovanshchina, Queen of Spades

1999-2000: Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk

2000-01: Der Fliegende Holländer, The Gambler, Met Orchestra concert

2001-02: Don Carlo, War and Peace

2002-03: Otello, Parsifal

2003-04: La Traviata (opening night), Stravinsky triple bill, Salome

2004-05: Die Walküre

2005-06: Mazeppa

2006-07: Eugene Onegin

2007-08: War and Peace, The Gambler, Met Orchestra concert

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.

Comments