Today at 2:00 PM on parterre saturday afternoon, Our Own JJ presents the “other” great Maria Callas Traviata from 1958, the glorious performance of June 20 of that year at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden.

Verdi: La Traviata

Maria Callas (Violetta), Cesare Valletti (Alfredo), Mario Zanasi (Giorgio Germont), Marie Collier (Flora), Forbes Robinson (Barone Douphol), Ronald Lewis (Marchese d’Obigny), Leah Roberts (Annina), Dermot Troy (Gastone), David Kelly (Dottore Grenvil). Covent Garden Orchestra, Covent Garden Opera Chorus; Nicola Rescigno.

Mentioned on this show:

The “London” Traviata

The “Lisbon” Traviata

The “Scala” Traviata

The 1953 “Mercury” (or whatever it was) Traviata

The Callas Legacy by John Ardoin

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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