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.
The current iteration of that altogether necessary resource the Met Future Wiki currently lists a repertoire of 32(!) programs intended for the Met’s 2017-2018 season, which clearly is absurd.
The Richard Tucker Music Foundation’s annual gala promises (note, promises) a particularly glittery roster this year.
Legends of a certain age Jessye Norman and Madame (pictured, left to right) announce a new joint venture.
Chat about live broadcasts from this year’s Bayreuth Festival.
“Kevin Puts’ new song cycle, Letters from Georgia, to receive World Premiere performances by Renée Fleming. Based on the letters of Georgia O’Keeffe…”
The cher public are invited to enjoy this afternoon’s live webcast of Les Indes galantes from the Bayerische Staatsoper.
“Luciano Pavarotti‘s family says the late opera singer would not have approved of Donald Trump‘s use of his recording of Giacomo Puccini’s aria ‘Nessun Dorma’.”
“36.000 Swarovski-Steine werden dort aufgebracht.”
Braindead coot Norman Lebrecht gets it wrong again.
La Cieca sends kudos our most faithful benefactors.
Soprano Maralin Niska, a mainstay of New York City Opera and America’s regional opera companies from the 1960s through the 1980s, died at her home in Santa Fe yesterday.
On this day in 2009, Zachary Woolfe made his debut as an opera critic in the Observer.
Anna gets veristic.
Intrepid cub reporter Terry Teachout has scored the scoop of the century!
>Today at noon from the Bayerische Staatsoper, a live telecast of the premiere of Halévy’s La Juive.
“15 Classical Musicians Who Are Out and Proud”
“Deborah Voigt, whose commitments have increased with her new position as a member of the full-time faculty at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.”
Parterre fave Stefan Herheim returns to Dutch National Opera to direct Pikovaya dama, in which the director attempts to reflect on the composer’s life, notably his hidden love for men.
“In Houston and San Francisco, David Gockley [not pictured] commissioned operas destined for stages worldwide.”
La Cieca is sure she is unanimous in stating that this afternoon’s online opera broadcasts offer something for everyone in the parterre continuum.
Deborah Voigt has canceled her role debut as Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd at Florida Grand Opera.
La Cieca though you might be amused, or at least bemused, by a few published reactions to LoftOpera.
If you’ve been following the coverage of the Nézet-Séguin succession, you will note that a good deal of the coverage centers on whether the incoming maestro will “champion” this composer or that.
The cher public are invited to supply a caption to the above photo.
Tell us: What’s your favorite Verdi performance?
Hasten thee to feed another quarter of conversation for The Talk of the Town!
