Opera from a certain point of view. The best opera magazine on the web. Reviews, breaking news, critical essays, and brainrot commentary on opera from those demented enough to love it.
Congratulations to America’s Diva and Toastmaster General Renée Fleming, who once more is demonstrating her commitment to contemporary music by starring in the world premiere of Henri Dutilleux‘s opera buffa Absolutely Fabulous, in the role of fashionista “Patsy Stone.”
La Fleming gets a rare chance to display her gift for physical comedy in the farcical work when party girl Patsy blacks out in a stranger’s flat and wakes up the next morning unable to find her clothes! Clad only in a duvet cover, she attempts to stumble home through a grimy Underground tunnel (above) before collapsing on the London docks (below).
A musical highlight is Patsy’s desperate patter song as she tries to figure out what time it is and realizes she has lost her watch (“Le temps! L’horloge!”)
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.
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.