“When you read, and credit, the more feverish musings of the internet chatterati, there is some kind of British invasion storming the bastions of American opera. Last month, when the Metropolitan Opera’s Peter Gelb announced the appointment of Robert Rattray, a consultant with the London-based classical-music agency Askonas Holt, as ‘assistant general manager for artistic affairs’, the American opera blogosphere went ballistic, with speculation rife that British Askonas Holt artists — the company represents prominent Americans, too — would be depriving local talent of work at the Met. Last weekend, in New York and Chicago, it was just about possible to believe the paranoia was justified.” [Times of London – paywalled]
Fog lifts over channel
“When you read, and credit, the more feverish musings of the internet chatterati, there is some kind of British invasion storming the bastions of American opera.”
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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