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.
Welcome, cher public, to the real-time chat for this evening’s Met broadcast of Simon Boccanegra, starting at 7:25 PM.
Jonas Kaufmann and the mysterious “Jane G.” sparked the most reader interest on parterre box during the month of March.
La Cieca and the entire gang down at parterre.com salute our advertisers for the month of April.
After five flops in a row, Mr. McVicar continues to win new assignments from the Met.
Meet the charming and personable “Jane G.,” erstwhile patroness of the the Met.
An article on the Argentine news site La Nacion states that Jonas Kaufmann will withdraw from his singing engagements for this year and the next.
Welcome, cher public, to the real-time chat for this afternoon’s Met broadcast of Le nozze di Figaro, starting at 1:00 PM.
La Cieca nominates Karita Mattila to sing Kundry (imagined here in a Stefan Herheim production of Parsifal, because, after all, one can dream!)
Welcome, cher public, to the real-time chat for this evening’s Met premiere of Roberto Devereux, starting at 7:55 PM. Photo: Ken Howard/Metropolitan Opera
“Singers slated for next season include… Jane Eaglen (Mother Goose in The Rake’s Progress).”
The 2017 Salzburg Easter Festival promises an intriguing blend of dramaturgy and necromancy “by attempting to re-create Karajan’s musico-theatrical vision of Die Walküre from 1967.”
Transgender performance artist Justin Vivian Bond appropriated a symbol of operatic conservatism—the Marschallin’s costume as designed by Robert O’Hearn (and paid for by Mrs. John D. Rockefeller, Jr.!)
Crack open a bottle of Bordeaux and enjoy this afternoon’s “La Casa della Cieca” chat during the Met broadcast of L’elisir d’amore.
Here the first video of Natalie Dessay in Sondheim’s Passion at the Théâtre du Châtelet.
Back by popular demand, cher public, live chat, just in time for this evening’s webcast of Un ballo in maschera from Munich.
“David McVicar, on his knee, with… Mariusz Kwiecien during a rehearsal.”
“Join me this Friday at The Metropolitan Opera for the next #FUN40”
Welcome, cher public, to the real-time chat for this afternoon’s Met performance of Don Pasquale, starting at 1:00 PM ET.
Opera Orchestra of New York (remember them?) will present Gaetano Donizetti’s Parisina D’este.
Here’s where the parterriani may gather to discuss tonight’s season premiere of L’elisir d’amore, as livestreamed beginning at 7:25 PM.
Born on this day in 1910 actress Claire Trevor.
Welcome, cher public, to the real-time chat for this afternoon’s Met performance of Manon Lescaut, starting at 1:00 PM ET.
Here’s your place to chat, cher public, during tonight’s Met broadcast of Don Pasquale, beginning at 7:30 PM.
Anna Netrebko and Latonia Moore (pictured) rekindle “The Grand Opera Buzz.”
Tell us: What’s your favorite Verdi performance?
Hasten thee to feed another quarter of conversation for The Talk of the Town!
