City of dreams
With issue #42a, “City of Dreams,” parterre box the queer opera zine returns at least temporarily to a rational numbering system.
By
La Cieca
With issue #42a, “City of Dreams,” parterre box the queer opera zine returned at least temporarily to a rational numbering system. Somewhat less than rational, however, were that issue’s contents: La Cieca delights in Der Ring Gott Farblonjet at Show World; Manuela Haltertop thickens the plot of “All About Steve”; Dr. Repertoire answers in exhaustive depth questions from the cher public; John Yohalem introduces us to the concept of “Shamanic Opera-going”; and we hear reports of performances from Vienna to San Francisco courtesy of Dawn Fatale, Fils de Brahma and Gertie Dammerung. [Download Issue #42a]
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.
