“Part of what makes opera seem, at least, a camp art form is that fans of the genre have such inconsistent taste…. What a lot of opera queens flock to is a corner of the repertoire that can be best labeled ‘guilty pleasures,’ pieces we all know are of dubious artistic quality—but what fun to listen!” [New York Observer]
Guilt trip
Part of what makes opera seem, at least, a camp art form is that fans of the genre have such inconsistent taste.
By La Cieca 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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Tell us: What was the best of 2025?
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.