By La Cieca 
Our Own Jungfer Marianne Leitmetzerin (not pictured) takes us back to the turbulent 1970s at the Met for the spectacular company debut of electrifying Elena Obraztsova.
Giuseppe Verdi: Aida
Metropolitan Opera
12 October 1976
In-house recording
Aida: Rita Hunter
Radamès: Carlo Bergonzi
Amneris: Elena Obraztsova
Amonasro: Louis Quilico
Ramfis: James Morris
King: Philip Booth
Messenger: Paul Franke
Priestess: Jean Kraft
Kazimierz Kord, conductor
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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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.
