“[James] Levine is annoyed by the question of why the Metropolitan goes through the expense of restaging operas. ‘There’s every reason to do a new Aida, burnt costumes or no. How many years can you ask your subscribers to see the same production? That’s one reason. Another is that once you’ve seen a production or played it a number of times the flaws in it become more irritating. Time marches on and the production remains the same. Nothing should remain frozen in the performing arts.” New York Times, February 1, 1976.

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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