Here’s a quiz compiled by Our Own DeCaffarrelli to help fill out the tedious month before the season opens, cher public.

Following is a sound clip with 13 sopranos taking turns singing the great Monologue from Strauss’s Elektra. Your task, naturally, will be to identify each and every one of them, in the correct order, in the comments section below. All guesses must be posted by Friday, September 14.

The first member of the cher public to identify all 13 correctly will receive the deluxe 15-CD set of Strauss Operas conducted by Sir Georg Solti. (La Cieca reserves the right to award an equivalent prize if the winner lives in an area not serviced by amazon.com.) La Cieca’s decisions as to correctness and promptness of the entries is, as always, quite final.

And now, cher public, for your discerning listening:

Elektra’s Monologue

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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