By La Cieca 
The original gay pirate is (sort of) 223 years old, since the Prague premiere of Mozart’s masterpiece
took place on October 29, 1787.
Of course, the rake’s birthday may also be celebrated on May 7, since that’s the Vienna premiere of a revision of the work, and it is from this version La Cieca has selected a celebratory YouTube clip.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=alfD1JPwMek
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.
