Our Own Jungfer Marianne Leitmetzerin (not pictured) celebrates this evening’s beginning of the season at the Met with an opening night from the past: a 1967 performance of La traviata.

Giuseppe Verdi: La traviata

Metropolitan Opera
Fausto Cleva, conductor
18 September 1967
Opening Night

In-house recording

Violetta – Montserrat Caballé
Alfredo – Richard Tucker
Germont – Cornell MacNeil
Flora – Nancy Williams
Gastone – Charles Anthony
Baron Douphol – Robert Goodloe
Marquis d’Obigny – Gene Boucher
Dr. Grenvil – Louis Sgarro
Annina – Loretta Di Franco
Giuseppe – Lou Marcella
Gardener – Peter Sliker

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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