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.
“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.”
By La Cieca
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The troubled run of Verdi’s opera at the Met this season is almost over.
By La Cieca
“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.”
By La Cieca
In voice, artistic sensibility and glamour, the singer was every inch a diva.
By La Cieca
Giacomo Meyerbeer’s Singspiel in three acts, as broadcast from Bonn Opera.
By La Cieca
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.
By La Cieca
Peter Mattei heads a luxe cast conducted by Nathalie Stutzmann.
By La Cieca
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!
By La Cieca
Stephen Costello and Eleonora Buratto lead the bohemian pack this time around.
By La Cieca
“Soprano Liudmyla Monastyrska will sing the title role in Puccini’s Tosca on April 8 and 12, replacing Angela Gheorghiu, who is ill.”
By La Cieca
The charismatic soprano has just canceled tomorrow afternoon’s performance of Tosca at the Met.
By La Cieca
“The current Met revival, while not perfect, has much to feel joyful and excited about.”
By La Cieca
Today’s Met matinee broadcast is the final performance this season of the acclaimed revival of Verdi’s comedy.
By La Cieca
In the biggest story of March 2023, awesome Angela Meade pulled off the Einspring of the Year, saving the Met’s performance of Norma.
By La Cieca
This much-anticipated revival stars Lise Davidsen and Günther Groissböck.
By La Cieca
The complete new recording played by Radio Beethoven in Santiago, Chile.
By La Cieca
Helena Dix goes on for the broadcast this afternoon!
By La Cieca
Another broadcast of one of the Met’s finest revivals of the season.
By La Cieca
“For this evening’s performance of Norma (March 22, 2023), Norma will now be sung by Helena Dix, replacing Sonya Yoncheva.”
By La Cieca
