La Cieca

James Jorden (who writes under the names "La Cieca" and "Our Own JJ") is the founder and editor of parterre box. During his 20 year career as an opera critic he has written for the New York Times, Opera, Gay City News, Opera Now, Musical America and the New York Post. He has also raised his voice in punditry on National Public Radio. From time to time he has directed opera, including three unsuccessful productions of Don Giovanni, a work he hopes to return to someday. Currently he alternates his doyenne duties with writing a weekly column on opera for the New York Observer.


Die Zauberflöte Die Zauberflöte

“Following her sublime Met debut two weeks ago leading Don Giovanni, Nathalie Stutzmann once again led a fleet and transparent reading full of ravishing detail.”

on May 25, 2023 at 5:00 PM
Aida Aida

The troubled run of Verdi’s opera at the Met this season is almost over.

on May 13, 2023 at 12:52 PM
Don Giovanni Don Giovanni

“One consistent feature was a tendency across the cast to tip from recitative into aria with no pause for breath or thought. The effect was almost naturalistic—if such a thing were possible in opera—and was just one example of the many ways in which the night’s music felt fresh, even urgent.”

on May 09, 2023 at 5:00 PM
Grace Bumbry 1937-2023 Grace Bumbry 1937-2023

In voice, artistic sensibility and glamour, the singer was every inch a diva.

on May 08, 2023 at 12:12 PM
Ein Feldlager in Schlesien Ein Feldlager in Schlesien

Giacomo Meyerbeer’s Singspiel in three acts, as broadcast from Bonn Opera.

on May 07, 2023 at 12:00 PM
La bohème La bohème

Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducts Puccini’s timeless tragedy for the first time at the Met, leading a cast that stars Eleonora Buratto and Stephen Costello.

on May 06, 2023 at 11:04 AM
Don GIovanni Don GIovanni

Peter Mattei heads a luxe cast conducted by Nathalie Stutzmann.

on May 05, 2023 at 4:00 PM
On the mend On the mend

La Cieca was most gratified to see that the cher public kept visiting parterre.com and commenting on every topic under the sun during her mid-April bout of illness!

on May 03, 2023 at 12:53 PM
Peter Grimes Peter Grimes

Performance from November 9, 2022.

on April 29, 2023 at 12:08 PM
L’elisir d’amore L’elisir d’amore

Aleksandra Kurzak and Xabier Anduaga star.

on April 26, 2023 at 6:28 PM
Idomeneo Idomeneo

Performance from October 20, 2022.

on April 22, 2023 at 10:00 AM
La bohème La bohème

Stephen Costello and Eleonora Buratto lead the bohemian pack this time around.

on April 21, 2023 at 4:00 PM
Tosca Tosca

“Soprano Liudmyla Monastyrska will sing the title role in Puccini’s Tosca on April 8 and 12, replacing Angela Gheorghiu, who is ill.”

on April 08, 2023 at 11:35 AM
ANGELA GHEORGHIU HAS COLLAPSED ANGELA GHEORGHIU HAS COLLAPSED

The charismatic soprano has just canceled tomorrow afternoon’s performance of Tosca at the Met.

on April 07, 2023 at 10:08 PM
Siegfried Siegfried

From Stuttgart Opera, a performance from 2022.

on April 07, 2023 at 8:00 AM
Der Rosenkavalier Der Rosenkavalier

“The current Met revival, while not perfect, has much to feel joyful and excited about.”

on April 04, 2023 at 5:00 PM
Falstaff Falstaff

Today’s Met matinee broadcast is the final performance this season of the acclaimed revival of Verdi’s comedy.

on April 01, 2023 at 11:00 AM
Just once in a lifetime a diva knows a moment Just once in a lifetime a diva knows a moment

In the biggest story of March 2023, awesome Angela Meade pulled off the Einspring of the Year, saving the Met’s performance of Norma.

on April 01, 2023 at 9:55 AM
Der Rosenkavalier Der Rosenkavalier

This much-anticipated revival stars Lise Davidsen and Günther Groissböck.

on March 27, 2023 at 4:00 PM
Turandot Turandot

The complete new recording played by Radio Beethoven in Santiago, Chile.

on March 26, 2023 at 12:00 PM
Norma Norma

Helena Dix is our Druidess of the Day.

on March 25, 2023 at 10:25 AM
O, swear not by the matinee! O, swear not by the matinee!

Helena Dix goes on for the broadcast this afternoon!

on March 25, 2023 at 9:29 AM
Falstaff Falstaff

Another broadcast of one of the Met’s finest revivals of the season.

on March 23, 2023 at 4:00 PM
O, swear not by the moon O, swear not by the moon

“For this evening’s performance of Norma (March 22, 2023), Norma will now be sung by Helena Dix, replacing Sonya Yoncheva.”

on March 22, 2023 at 12:00 PM
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