Our Own Joel Rozen is no longer Our Own, except of course in the most important sense that we will always adore him. The erstwhile parterre box scribe is now writing for the enemy The Metropolitan Opera.
Once we thought he’d never grow tall as this fence
Our Own Joel Rozen is no longer Our Own, except of course in the most important sense that we will always adore him.
By La Cieca 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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