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.
Donizetti’s Les Martyrs in a broadcast from Vienna with Roberta Mantegna, John Osborn, and Mattia Olivieri
San Francisco Opera’s first livestream (with a 48-hour on-demand viewing window) of the new season.
Shaggy weltstar tenor murmurs the haunting love theme from Gladiator.
The Norwegian soprano sings a program of music by Wagner, Verdi, Tchaikovsky, Schubert, Strauss, Sibelius and Grieg.
Lisette Oropesa has announced she will sing Norma “in the future.”
Soprano Lise Davidsen headlines.
Live from the BBC Proms 2023.
Born on this day in 1964 actor Keanu Reeves.
The passing of Renata Scotto is perhaps the most significant and surely the saddest opera news story of 2023.
A Welsh opera singer has said the art must have more LGBTQ+ representation if it is to survive.
Elsa Dreisig and Aigul Akhmetshina star in a performance recorded at the Salzburg Festival August 19.
Surely it is high time to choose a nickname for mauling maestro Sir John Eliot Gardiner.
David Daniels has just confided that he has this week received two singing engagement offers in Europe.
One of my absolute favorite later Cole Porter lyrics.
The Italian soprano, pedagogue and mentor has died. She was 89.
From the Festival Aix-en-Provence, July 15, 2023.
Birthday boy Windycityoperaman‘s always spellbinding On This Day postings dominated the pageviews in July.
Live from the Bayreuth Festival.
Live from the Bayreuth Festival.
Live from the Bayreuth Festival.
Live from the Bayreuth Festival.
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.
