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.
“The Met’s abridged, English-language version of Mozart’s magical fairy tale is a classic holiday treat for audiences of all ages.”
Presented with an all-new English translation in an abridged 90 minutes, with mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard as its rags-to-riches princess.
Yannick Nézet-Séguin leads Sondra Radvanovsky (Tosca), Brian Jagde (Cavaradossi), George Gagnidze (Scarpia) and Patrick Carfizzi (Sacristan).
“Rolando Villazón makes an exciting role debut as the lovable lout Papageno.”
Riccardo Chailly conducts a new production of Verdi’s tragedy featuring Luca Salsi, Anna Netrebko, Ildar Abdrazakov and Francesco Meli.
Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducts Erin Morley (Eurydice), Joshua Hopkins (Orpheus), Jakub Józef Orlinski (Orpheus’s Double), Nathan Berg (Father) and Barry Banks (Hades).
Yannick Nézet-Séguin leads Sondra Radvanovsky (Tosca), Brian Jagde (Cavaradossi), George Gagnidze (Scarpia) and Patrick Carfizzi (Sacristan).
The Met’s antiquated production of La bohéme proved as popular with our readers as it did with audiences last month!
Lisette Oropesa stars in Verdi’s tragic masterpiece at the Royal Opera House, with Liparit Avetisyan and Christian Gerhaher.
The master of Broadway musical theater died suddenly earlier today at his home in Connecticut.
Matthew Aucoin and librettist Sarah Ruhl’s reimagination of the ancient Orpheus myth, told from Eurydice’s point of view. Erin Morley stars in the title role, with Yannick Nézet-Séguin on the podium.
A concert performance featuring Lisette Oropesa, Joyce DiDonato and Michael Spyres, with Il Pomo d’Oro Choir and Orchestra conducted by Maxim Emelyanychev.
Born on this day in 1920 actress Gene Tierney.
The classic American opera features many artists from the triumphant 2019–20 production’s Grammy Award-winning cast. Eric Owens and Angel Blue star as the title couple, with conductor David Robertson on the podium.
Conductor Eun Sun Kim, who became music director of San Francisco Opera this fall, makes her Met debut.
The classic American opera features many artists from the triumphant 2019–20 production’s Grammy Award-winning cast. Eric Owens and Angel Blue star as the title couple, with conductor David Robertson on the podium.
Wexford Festival Opera 2021 presents Alfredo Catalani’s Edmea.
Ermonela Jaho, Elina Garanca, Brian Jagde and Nicola Alaimo star in a live performance from the Vienna State Opera.
Antonio Pappano conducts Michael Volle, Lise Davidsen, Klaus Florian Vogt and Johannes Martin Kränzle.
Born on this day in 1946 actress and superstar Holly Woodlawn.
In tribute to Edita Gruberova, a 2010 performance of one of her favorite later-career vehicles, Lucrezia Borgia.
An audio stream of tonight’s sold-out Met performance.
La Cieca hears that Anna Netrebko has cancelled her November performances of Nabucco in Vienna to schedule shoulder surgery.