Here’s something you can hardly call news, because it’s an old story everyone expected to happen anyway. Chronically brave Natalie Dessay has canceled tonight’s final performance of La traviata, leaving Hei-Kyung Hong to do the honors. The statistics for this Met revival, for those of you playing along at home, are: Dessay, 5.33 performances, Hong 3.66 performances.

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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