Just for you girls, Betsy turns her headlights on a nice handful of operas that will no doubt prove to be bags of fun.

Her breast heaving, Carmen angrily spat out, “No man will ever possess me.” Rachvelishvili and Arancam from San Francisco, 3 F/K.. 2:00-4:30 WFMT American Opera Network.

Her breast heaving, Donna Anna angrily spat out, “No man will ever possess me.” Meachem, Dehn et al, from San Francisco, 3 F.K., 1:00-5:00 KBYU.

Her breast heaving, Ellen Orford angrily spat out, “Well, maybe sometimes, a little, or not, it depends.” Stuart Skelton, Amanda Roocroft, from The Proms, no data to rate, 1:00-5:00 NRK KLASSIK, RTP ANTENA 2.

Her breast heaving, Mathilde angrily spat out, “I play the title character; I do the encores.” Florez and Peretyatko from Pesaro. 2 F.K., 1:00-5:00 RADIO 4 NETHERLANDS.

Her breast heaving, Adina angrily spat out, “Trills! I don’t have to show you no stinkin’ trills. And that’s not a tear; I sweat a lot, okay?” 4 F.K. Persson and Villazon from Baden Baden. 1:00-4:00 NPR World of Opera.

Her breast heaving, Tiny Lingonberry angrily spat out, “My agent told me this gig was for Cunning Little Vixen.” No data to rate. World premiere of a children’s opera by John Tamulionio, LRT KLASIKA, 10:00-1:00 or maybe 11:00-2:00.

Her breast heaving, Angelica angrily spat out, “If one more person tells me ‘Smile, Baby June,’ I’ll kill ’em.” 2 F.K., Martin Y Soler’s IL BURBERO DI BUION CUORE . NPR World of Opera 1:00-4:30.

Her breast heaving, Rosalinda angrily spat out, “A lover who’s a tenor; a husband who’s a high baritone at best; a host who’s a mezzo ! Whaddaya have to sing to get laid around here?” Schock, Lipp, Schenk, Holm in FLEDERMAUS, 2 F.K., 1:00-3:30 or 2:00-4:30 CESKY ROZHLAS VLTAVA

Their breasts heaving, Beverly Sills and Renata Scotto angrily spat out, “I’ve got my stopwatch out; thirty minutes for her, thirty minutes for me.” 3 F.K. 1:00-2:00 FRANCE MUSIQUE

Her breast heaving, Lida angrily spat out, “Alzira, I Masnadieri, and now THIS!” The Philips LA BATTAGLIA DI LEGNANO, 1:00-5:00 RADIO CLASICA DE ESPANA.

Her breast heaving, Bess angrily spat out, “I’ll take two boxes of those strawberries, please..” 2 F.K., the Simon Rattle recording of PORGY AND BESS, 1:30-5:00 BARTOK RADIO

Her breast heaving, Helene angrily spat out, “I learned it in French, we’ll damn well sing it in French.” 2 F.K. Donizetti’s LE DUC D’ALBE, 1:30-4:30 RADIO OESTERREICH

Her breast heaving, Amira angrily spat out, “Living legend or not, she’s wearing pants so that makes me the Prima Donna.” 3 F.K. CIRO IN BABILONIA from Pesaro, Podles, Spyres, Pratt. 2:00-6:00 KLARA.

Her breast heaving, Alceste angrily spat out, “Go to Hell, go to Hell, go to Hell. Why do I always get stuck with the dirty work?” Rene Jacobs’ recording of Handel’s ADMETO, 2 F.K. 2:00-6:00 RADIO STEPHANSDOM

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.

Comments