Don Pasquale di Correzione

Norman Lebrecht reveals himself once more to be no observer at all.

By La Cieca

May 4, 2018

Writing, ironically, for the Spectator, Norman Lebrecht reveals himself once more to be no observer at all. His brief account of a visit to La Scala is riddled with factual errors. (The wrong-headedness of his opinions is of course beyond dispute.)

Daniel Barenboim “took the baton for a bit” at La Scala to perform over 200 times across 10 seasons.

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ivz6p9Zj4Ck

There is no “lonely trumpet” in the Fellini film La dolce vita; I suppose Lebrecht was thinking of La strada?

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_vIvjl4H524

Zandonai worships at the altar of Richard Strauss?

There is no depiction of incest in Francesca da Rimini.

There is no sex scene in the second act of Francesca da Rimini.

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iy1jZtRFqWo

Norma has been performed at La Scala in four seasons since 1955.

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HudbEliSrCs

“Verdi’s little-seen Attila” has had 72 performances of 21 productions in 17 cities over the past two seasons.

httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxk1LhqltOA

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.