By La Cieca 
We have always considered Ms. Scotto’s piercing intelligence and unique combination of tradition and innovation in her performances as beacons for parterre box.
She was the first great singer I ever heard and remains after half a century of attending the opera the greatest musical artist I have ever experienced in the theater.
I do not think it ironic or even milly inaccurate to call Renata Scotto my spiritual godmother.
[via Washington Post]
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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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.
