“One quick way to warm up: Watching tenor heartthrob Roberto Alagna, who’ll swing into town Sunday for a concert performance of Giordano’s Andrea Chénier with Opera Orchestra of New York. In this French Revolution epic, Alagna plays an idealistic poet who belts out a few hit arias before joining his beloved Maddalena (soprano Kristin Lewis) on the guillotine.” Our own JJ chooses hot tickets for cold months. [New York Post]

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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