“He is, ultimately, the most modern and refreshing of gay characters: the pretty boy who got a bum rap and makes 50 guys weep openly when his exit music starts playing.” The New York Times wallows in the antiquated “Bury Your Gays” trope.
Billy Budd, queen of the birds
The pretty boy who got a bum rap.
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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Tell us: What was the best of 2025?
Parterre Box concludes the thrilling first year of Talk of the Town by inviting your lightning rod opinions on several more categories of operatic argumentation.