As the celebrations for the 20th anniversary of parterre box continue, La Cieca (left) introduces a new feature: each week, a vintage issue of parterre box, the queer opera zine, scanned into PDF format for handy download!

This week let’s take a look at Issue #31 aka “King David,” published in May of 1998, featuring an interview with David Daniels, reactions to Robert Wilson‘s Lohengrin, and the first installment of Ortrud Maxwell‘s fascinating feature “Impossible Discs.”

Oh, and did I mention that La Cieca has the rock-solid, incontrovertible scoop that the role of Violetta in the Met’s 1998 new production of La traviata will be sung by… Renée Fleming?  

[Download Issue #31]

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.

Comments