Barihunk John Chest headlines San Francisco Opera’s Billy Budd in the fall of 2019 (presumably in Francesca Zambello‘s familiar Cruising-themed staging), according to Opera magazine’s frequently accurate “We hear that” feature. 

Please note that the Falstaff assigned to Peter Sellars is not the familiar Verdi score but rather a collage of diaries and other accounts by soldiers and camp followers in the army of Henry IV. John Adams has been chosen as composer thanks to his close connection to the subject matter (he once dated actress Barbara Windsor.)

As for me, I’m looking for the women triumvirate’s take on Makropulos Case.

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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