A press release just received from the Met ends with what feels like a SAT question that didn’t quite make it out of the gate. The background on the company’s impending HD of Faust includes the following tantalizing paragraph: “The traditional setting for Faust is 16th-century Germany, a time when alchemists and philosophers were familiar characters in real life. Des McAnuff’s new Met production places the action in the first half of the 20th century.”

La Cieca feels like this one needs to be completed by the parterre commentariat. Thus,

“16th century Germany is to alchemists and philosophers as the first half of the 20th century is to _____________.”

Best answer by end of day wins a prize of recent CD/DVD releases.

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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