In case you’re wondering why there was so little drama onstage in that recent production, perhaps it’s because so much was exploding behind the scenes. Which merely adequate director tried to get that lush-voiced star canned? And which conductor was Johnny on the spot to broker a little brotherly love between the antagonists—the better to demonstrate his bona fides for that still-gaping job opening?
Platinum blind
By La Cieca 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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Tell us: What was the best of 2025?
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.
