“An ‘opera production’ is defined as a collection of sets and costumes plus a list of instructions of movements from one part of the stage to another. Communicating these (optional) instructions to the singers is the job of any old functionary the opera house happens to have handy: the director, the director’s ex-girlfriend, or the director’s ex-girlfriend’s assistant’s ex-assistant’s girlfriend. (It really doesn’t matter because people come to the opera to hear great voices, not for ‘acting’).”
Gesamtcanardwerk
“An ‘opera production’ is defined as a collection of sets and costumes plus a list of instructions of movements from one part of the stage to another.”
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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Tell us: What was the best of 2025?
Parterre Box concludes the thrilling first year of Talk of the Town by inviting your lightning rod opinions on several more categories of operatic argumentation.
