Opera from a certain point of view. The best opera magazine on the web. Reviews, breaking news, critical essays, and brainrot commentary on opera from those demented enough to love it.
“I have ideas about Zerlina. I shall not wear the usual velvet and spangles. My costume is of olive green cloth, very pretty, but not too expensive for a girl of that sort to wear. My hair hangs in two braids and my skin is a dark olive. Zerlina is an adorable part, and the music is so very lovely.”
Miss Farrar, speaking to the New York Times in January 1908, chatters at length about her plans for the future, ending the interview with the simple vow, “. . .and then I go to Lilli Lehmann for more work.”
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.
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.
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.
“I have ideas about Zerlina. I shall not wear the usual velvet and spangles. My costume is of olive green cloth, very pretty, but not too expensive for a girl of that sort to wear. My hair hangs in two braids and my skin is a dark olive. Zerlina is an adorable part, and the music is so very lovely.” 
