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.
No, this is too scary to be a coincidence.
New York City Opera Renaissance has officially announced casting for their impending production of Tosca.
“By the end of next year… the axis of opera in New York may just possibly have shifted from Lincoln Center to a loft in Gowanus.”
Spain’s world-famous opera star Montserrat Caballe was handed a six-month suspended jail sentence and fined more than 250,000 euros ($275,000) on Tuesday for cheating the taxman.”
Tenor/Sunnysider Jonathan Blalock, recent creator of the title role in Mark Adamo‘s Becoming Santa Claus at Dallas Opera, guests on the essential podcast The Sewers of Paris.
La Cieca reminds the cher public (pictured) that The Fiery Angel, webcast live from Munich, begins shortly.
Baltimore Ravens place kicker Justin Tucker may or may not be giving up his day job any time soon.
Where does the time go?
La Cieca (pictured) notes that next year’s recipients of the F. Paul Driscoll Awards for Outstanding Achievement in the Field of Excellence will include Joseph Calleja, Elina Garanca, Waltraud Meier, Anna Netrebko and José van Dam, which means we are now officially out of old singers.
New York City Opera Renaissance certainly seems to have its eyes on the future.
Thank goodness all that curating of Bel Canto and artistic advising and such doesn’t take up all Renee Fleming‘s precious hours!
Finally the reason for all that screaming at La Scala begins to emerge.
Facebook assures me that running this ad will send readers simply flocking to the Parterre Box Presents La Cieca page.
Even when he’s not conducting the production, or, for that matter, even after the production is closed, Maestro Levine remains a presence on the Met’s website.
The Apollo Theater and Opera Philadelphia just announced that Charlie Parker’s YARDBIRD will have its New York premiere in a co-production between the two institutions, April 1 and 3, 2016.
Kasper Holten, Director of Opera at the Royal Opera House Covent Garden, has announced he will quit this post in March 2017.
The African-American coloratura soprano, was one of the first black artists to sing leading roles in international theaters, died yesterday.
La Cieca’s familiar spirits have been turning their generally steely eyes to the Future Met Wiki, attempting in vain to make sense of impending repertoire and casting at Casa Gelb.
“Khatia’s great tits have come quite naturally, without a struggle.”
From La Scala, starting at 11:00 AM ET, a “Backstage Live” view of the opening night performance of Giovanna d’Arco.
The festivities begin at 1:00 PM today with La bohème.
La Cieca is wondering who, in fact, will be performing the role of the Roman diva, or, for that matter, any other role in this production.
Mireille Asselin will sing the role of Adele in this evening’s season premiere performance of Johann Strauss, Jr.’s Die Fledermaus.”
“Joyce DiDonato and Rufus Wainwright will discuss a variety of topics…”
Tell us: What’s your favorite Verdi performance?
Hasten thee to feed another quarter of conversation for The Talk of the Town!
