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.
At Opera Philadelphia, baritone Jarrett Ott will replace Nathan Gunn as protagonist W.P. Inman for all five performances of Cold Mountain, February 5-14 at the Academy of Music.
Soprano Denise Duval, muse to Francis Poulenc, died yesterday in Switzerland. She was 94.
From the Met: “Jonas Kaufmann has canceled his performances in this season’s new production of Puccini’s Manon Lescaut due to illness.”
While legendary NYCO soprano Lauren Flanigan has, alas, not been singing very frequently lately, she recently has turned her laser-like focus to that other essential aspect of the diva’s job description, that of Raising Righteous Hell.
La Cieca is delighted (if that is the correct word) to note that, according to this photograph, the celebrated La Gran Scena Opera Co. di New York are reviving their beloved staging of Aida.
“You can’t imagine anyone else writing an opera that sounds like this one, though you devoutly wish someone would.”
Even in San Francisco, actions speak louder than words.
“In the first place,” Human Weasel Norman Lebrecht helpfully clarified, “it was not a gay bar the director wanted but a miners’ bar.”
“How does Renée Fleming do it all? She’s smart. She takes Speed! The tiny blue diet pill you don’t have to be overweight to need.”
La Cieca finds it difficult to imagine any more offbeat casting than the sublime Joyce DiDonato as “The Worst Singer in the World.”
The composer and conductor died yesterday at his home in Baden-Baden, Germany. He was 90.
“Mezzo-soprano Stephanie Blythe returns to Carnegie Hall to lead an audience sing-along concert, Sing, America!
“Els tenors José Cura i Carl Tanner cantaran el rol d’Otello en l’òpera de Verdi en substitució d’Aleksandrs Antonenko…”
The already legendary performance of that role of roles Madame Rose by the ineffable Imelda Staunton may now be seen on YouTube.
Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Yusif Eyvazov, who were married in Vienna just now.
Dame Josephine Barstow (not pictured) is seeking planning permission to build a Malthouse Arabians stableyard.
Brian Kellow (not pictured) boasts, “Peggy Noonan, interviewed in last Sunday’s New York Times Book Review, mentioned that Can I Go Now? is on her nightstand.”
In addition to the dates noted by WindyCityOperaman, today also also marks the 10th anniversary of the death of Birgit Nilsson.
Which soprano/tenor team won’t have to hunt very hard for a triumph on December 31. 2016, when the Met reunites them for a new production of Roméo et Juliette?
“Dmitri Hvorostovsky has withdrawn from his upcoming performances of Verdi’s Il Trovatore—February 3, 6, 9, and 13 matinee—due to his ongoing treatment for a brain tumor. Juan Jesús Rodríguez will sing di Luna in these performances, making his Met debut.” So says the Met press office.
Now, understand, this is the snippiest of snippets, but it is indeed the first hint of Anna Netrebko‘s Turandot!
“Only four could have betrayed her: one is dead, one loves her, one wants to own her. And one, she hopes, never thinks of her at all.”
The Met’s pilot program of octogenarian outreach looks to be a smashing success.
Continuing in its long and proud tradition of mystery and intrigue, Opera Orchestra of New York has announced a concert or some other sort of music-related event for May 4, 2016.
Tell us: What’s your favorite Verdi performance?
Hasten thee to feed another quarter of conversation for The Talk of the Town!
