La Cieca is starting a new series of Words Critics Need to Stop Using. The word of the day is “shambolic,” much beloved of British critics, and more or less meaningless, as in “[Les Contes d’Hoffmann] is an extraordinary and rather shambolic work based on three stories by the 19th century German writer of fantasies ETA Hoffmann, who is also the main character in the opera.” (The fact that the writer uses the more mundane and precise word “muddled” later in his review demonstrates that “shambolic” is just so much posing.)
Decrease your word power
La Cieca is starting a new series of Words Critics Need to Stop Using.
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.