By La Cieca 
Born on this day in 1908 American swimmer and actor Buster Crabbe.
Born on this day in 1812 writer Charles DickensBorn on this day in 1896 tenor Galliano MasiniBorn on this day in 1913 conductor Oskar DanonBorn on this day in 1915 conductor Carlo Felice CillarioBorn on this day in 1923 artistic administrator and writer George Lascelles, 7th Earl of HarewoodHappy 82nd birthday tenor Stuart BurrowsHappy 76th birthday baritone Norman Welsby
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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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.
