One startling upset catches the eye among the many winners (if that is the word) of the 2013 Parterre Box Awards.

The surprise is “Worst New Production at the Met,” a dubious honor won by David Alden‘s production of Un ballo in maschera. Honestly, La Cieca doesn’t get it, but she hopes that at least some of the 336 of you who votes that way will explain your opinion in the comments section.

Continuing with the rest of the awards in their traditional order:

Best New Production at the Met: Parsifal, with 513 votes, a clear majority of 61% of total votes cast.

Best Revival at the Met: Dialogues des Carmélites

Worst Revival at the Met: Der Ring des Nibelungen

Best Production at NYCO: Powder Her Face

Best Other New York Opera Production: I Lombardi (OONY)

Best Performance in a Diva Role: Joyce DiDonato in Maria Stuarda

Worst Performance in a Diva Role: Deborah Voigt in Der Ring des Nibelungen

Best Performance in a Divo Role: Jonas Kaufmann in Parsifal (over 70% of votes cast)

Worst Performance in a Divo Role: Marcello Giordani in Les Troyens

Best Performance in a Non-Diva Role: Peter Mattei in Parsifal

Most Significant Cancellation: Marcello Giordani in Les Troyens

Einspringer of the Year: Bryan Hymel in Les Troyens (over 75% of votes cast)

Maestro of the Year: Yannick Nézet-Séguin

Debut of the Year: Bryan Hymel in Les Troyens

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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