“It may have been Robert A. Heinlein or Napoleon Bonaparte who first crafted that variation on Occam’s Razor ‘Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.’ But whoever said it, in whatever century and in whatever language, it certainly seems to apply to the fiasco that is the Deutsche Oper am Rhein’s Tannhäuser.” Our Own JJ (not pictured) is pondering again over at Rough and Regie.
The standoff in Düsseldorf
“Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.”
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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