advice_cieca_collins_thumbThe pickings are slimmish this week for online listening Saturday afternoon, but those of you who are up and around by 11 AM may want to tune in to Die Meistersinger on BBC Radio 3, a concert performance by the Welsh National Opera starring Bryn Terfel. (Though I warn you: per the the Beeb’s website, the duration of the performance is scheduled at 6 hours, 15 minutes.) A few briefer selections, courtesy of Our Own Betsy, follow the jump.

1:00-5:00 CBC TWO: Chabrier’s UNE EDUCATION MANQUEE and Rossini’s LA CAMBIALE DE MATRIMONIO. Nice performances, albeit on the provincial side, with the main interest being Desiree Rancatore. Now you know how little it takes to keep me entertained — Desiree Rancatore, some Elmer’s Glue, and a pile of popsicle sticks and I’m busy for hours.

1:00-5:00 KBYU: Metropolitan Council Auditions Finals. I thought it a fairly sad group this year, but there is the final appearance of Frederica von Stade on the Met stage.

1:00-5:00 WFMT Network: IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA. All-star line-up of Di Donato, Florez, and Gunn.

1:00-5:00 NPR World of Opera: A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE from the Washington Opera. Oh goody, another chance to be disappointed. A good opportunity for a discussion of why Arthur Miller is the best source of material NOT to be turned into an opera.

1:00-5:00 VPR CLASSICAL: A “discussion” of LA BOHEME and DON GIOVANNI. Pop quiz will follow. First one to say, “ennui” is excused.

1:00-5:00 WETA: THE TURN OF THE SCREW from Castleton. Hmmm, this one is slightly intriguing. If only I hadn’t sworn off Britten during Ramadan.

3:00-8:00 LYRIC-FM: WOZZECK from Bolshoi. If you’re off-pitch in WOZZECK, how do you know?

La Casa della Cieca (if not necessarily La Cieca) will be open for business at 11 am and through the afternoon.

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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