“What happens when that music no longer comes easily, or when the public’s attention shifts elsewhere? These are questions for any great singer, including Ms. Malfitano, now in her 70s and her days as a reigning Tosca behind her. So here she is, a fictionalized version of herself, relishing the glories of the past yet also tortured by neuroses that recall Maria Callas and Norma Desmond, with the fiercely widened eyes to match,” writes the ineffable Josh Barone in the New York Times. (Photo: Jean Louis Fernandez)
“Madame is the greatest star of them all”
“What happens when that music no longer comes easily, or when the public’s attention shifts elsewhere?”
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.
