Opera from a certain point of view. The best opera magazine on the web. Reviews, breaking news, critical essays, and brainrot commentary on opera from those demented enough to love it.
La Cieca is delighted to salute the return of Jungfer Marianne Leitmetzerin to the regular Monday lineup at parterre.com. And what a special treat she has for us this week: a live performance of Werther starring Franco Corelli and Christa Ludwig!
Jules Massenet: Werther
Metropolitan Opera
Martin Rich, conductor
March 9, 1971
In-house recording
Werther – Franco Corelli
Charlotte – Christa Ludwig
Albert – John Reardon
Sophie – Judith Blegen
Le bailli – Fernando Corena
Schmidt – Nico Castel
Johann – Andrej Dobrianski
Kätchen – Norma Taubert
Brühlmann – Charles Kuestner
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.
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.
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.