La Cieca hears that Lyric Opera of Chicago is so confident about the success of their impending world premiere of the opera Bel Canto that the company has already commissioned a sequel from the same creative team. In this new work, entitled Can Belto, a group of terrorists kidnap Broadway diva Idina Menzel. Says Lyric’s creative consultant Renée Fleming, “This is a more lighthearted piece, suggested by the classic O. Henry tale “The Ransom of Red Chief.”
“Let her go!”
In this new work, entitled Can Belto, a group of terrorists kidnap and hold hostage Broadway diva Idina Menzel.
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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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.
