Presented for your amusement and competitiveness, cher public, yet one more in our series of vocal identification quizzes. Your task: name the Ortruds, all unlucky 13 of them.

The following sound clip (devised by the nefarious Christopher Corwin) consists of a veritable coven of divas wailing the final page of “Ortrud’s Curse” from Lohengrin. Your task, cher public, will be to name the artists in the comments section. The first parterrian to name all 13 in the correct order (or, should no one accomplish this feat, the commenter who identifies the most correctly at the time the contest ends) will win the prize of a coveted Amazon Gift Card in the amount of $75.00. The closing date is Wednesday, June 24, 2015 at midnight.

In case of a tie, the earliest timestamped of the tying comments will be declared the winner. All decisions will be made by La Cieca, which I don’t think I need to tell you implies finality.

Ready? Start listening!

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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