WalkureThe 2017 Salzburg Easter Festival promises an intriguing blend of dramaturgy and necromancy “by attempting to re-create Karajan’s musico-theatrical vision of Die Walküre from 1967.” 

That’s right: the Festival is going to spend good money to recreate the 50 year old set designs by Günther Schneider-Siemssen as a means of “posing questions about the stage aesthetic of yesterday, today and tomorrow.” Christian Thielemann will conduct, and, what with the technical difficulties involved in reanimating the corpse of Herbert von Karajan, “internationally renowned director Vera Nemirova will realize her production in Günther Schneider-Siemssen’s stage sets as reconstructed by Jens Kilian.”

Brunnhilde

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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