Here’s where the parterriani will surely gather to hear and to comment upon this evening’s monster gala celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Met’s incumbency at Lincoln Center, beginning at 6:00 PM EDT and ending heaven knows when.

Scheduled to appear are Marco Armiliato, Piotr Beczala, Ben Bliss, Stephanie Blythe, Joseph Calleja, Javier Camarena, Dwayne Croft, Diana Damrau, David Daniels, Joyce DiDonato, Plácido Domingo, Yusif Eyvazov, Michael Fabiano, Renée Fleming, Elina Garanca, Susan Graham, Vittorio Grigolo, Günther Groissböck, Christopher Job, Mariusz Kwiecien, Isabel Leonard, James Levine, Zeljko Lucic, Angela Meade, Latonia Moore, James Morris, Anna Netrebko, Kristine Opolais, Eric Owens, René Pape, Matthew Polenzani, Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Michael Volle, Yunpeng Wang, Pretty Yende, Sonya Yoncheva, Dolora Zajick, no doubt a surprise guest or two, plus the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and Chorus.

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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