all_about_annaSo stop me if you’ve heard this one: a, shall we say, mature diva gets stranded in the snow, and in her place a substitute (carefully hidden, no doubt!) gives a performance! Out of nowhere – gives a performance!  Well, according to Intermezzo, life imitated art (and what better art to imitate than All About Eve?) earlier today, December 30, when a certain, shall we say, less mature diva jumped in for Manhattan-stranded Renée Fleming at the Staatskapelle Dresden’s annual concert on the German TV’s ZDF channel. [Intermezzo]

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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