Born on this day in 1843 soprano Adelina Patti.
Premieres of Offenbach’s Les Contes d’Hoffman in Paris (1881), Rimski-Korsakov’s Snegurochka in St Petersburg (1882) and Howard Hanson’s Merry Mount in New York City (1934).

Birthday anniversaries of playwright Bertolt Brecht (1898), mezzo-soprano Gianna Pederzini (1900), soprano Maria Cebotari (1910), conductor Henry Krips (1912) and bass Cesare Siepi (1923).

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.

Comments