“[T]here’s no chill to be detected at the Metropolitan Opera. There, the temperature rises nearly to boiling every time Diana Damrau and Vittorio Grigolo are on stage together in a sensational revival of Manon, which opened on Monday…” Our Own JJ‘s take on the Massenet will not appear until next week, but for now you are invited to make do with Zachary Woolfe‘s rave in the New York Times. (Photo: Ken Howard/Metropolitan Opera)

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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