Something a little out of the ordinary from Jungfer Marianne Leitmetzerin this week: David Del Tredici‘s Final Alice, featuring the “original cast.”

David Del Tredici: Final Alice

Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Georg Solti, conductor
January 1980

Barbara Hendricks, soprano

Described by Del Tredici as “an opera, written in concert form,” “Final Alice” is a one-hour virtuoso showpiece for coloratura soprano and large orchestra. The work premiered in 1976 and is dedicated to Sir Georg Solti. The text is drawn from Lewis Carroll’s “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland,” “Through the Looking Glass,” and early draft versions of these poems.

Even though the album sold extremely well upon its release, it was never issued on Compact Disc and available only as an LP before being deleted and remaining unavailable for many years. Only recently, it was released on CD in Australia.

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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