Number TenWell done, you listeners to Mozart tidbits and participants in the “Non mi dir” competition. Your many guesses at the 24 sopranos briefly heard warbling a fragment of “Non mi dir” went much better than La Cieca might have hoped, with the sharpest-eared among you garnering a total of 20 correct answers. His identity—and those of the various divas—follows the jump.

Congratulations to Stevey, who identified the round score of sopranos: his coveted Amazon Gift Card will soon be on its way.

And who were all these ladies, you ask? La Cieca is happy to lift the veil.

  1. Eleanor Steber
  2. Montserrat Caballé
  3. Zinka Milanov
  4. Margaret Price
  5. Gwyneth Jones
  6. Anna Netrebko
  7. Gladys Kuchta
  8. Elisabeth Rethberg
  9. Gundula Janowitz
  10. Eva Marton
  11. Sondra Radvanovsky
  12. Birgit Nilsson
  13. Beverly Sills
  14. Ljuba Welitsch
  15. Patrizia Ciofi
  16. Leontyne Price
  17. Carol Vaness
  18. Cristina Deutekom
  19. Karita Mattila
  20. Simone Kermes
  21. Joan Sutherland
  22. Claire Watson
  23. Regina Resnik
  24. Teresa Stich-Randall

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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