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.
René Pape, the world’s reigning Boris, reprises his overwhelming portrayal of the tortured tsar in the original 1869 version of the opera.
A Baroque Valentine’s with Opera Lafayette | Feb | DC & NYC
Celebrate love in all its guises with tender ballads, amorous duets, cheeky verses, and bawdy drinking songs plus food, cocktails and wine.
Tantalizing tenor Michael Fabiano adds a new role to his repertoire barely five weeks from today.
A Willy Decker production, live from the Vienna State Opera.
Born on this day in 1905 actress Thelma Ritter.
Performance from September 11, 2021. Yannick Nézet-Séguin; Ailyn Pérez, Michelle DeYoung, Matthew Polenzani, Eric Owens.
“As for next year, Gheorghiu makes an as-yet-unannounced return for the first time in seven years to the Met in New York.”
Francesco Ivan Ciampa conducts Asmik Grigorian, Boris Pinkhasovich, Brian Jagde and Josh Lovell.
Historic moments from the 1930s and early 40s featuring stars such as Kirsten Flagstad, Lily Pons, Rosa Ponselle, Bidù Sayão, Jussi Bjoerling, Lauritz Melchior, Lawrence Tibbett, Leonard Warren, and Ezio Pinza
On this day in 1959 soprano Leonie Rysanek made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Lady Macbeth.
“It was all surprisingly good? Even the Party Pork, which has you marinate a piece of pork neck in vermouth and steak seasoning. It shouldn’t work, and yet it did.”
In honor of Black History Month, the Met rebroadcasts a 1984 performance.
San Francisco Opera prepares to barge down the Nile.
Signs of new life at the Met caught the attention of parterrians in January.
“The design of the Met’s new production [of Lucia di Lammermoor] by Simon Stone suggests a present-day American Rust Belt, an area once prosperous but now fallen into decline and neglect.”
Jonas Kaufmann in the title role, with Lise Davidsen and Bryn Terfel from the Vienna State Opera.
Kristine Opolais, Jonathan Tetelman and Gábor Bretz star in a live telecast from the Theater an der Wien.
Jamie Barton will sing Eboli in the Met’s new production of the original five-act French version of Verdi’s Don Carlos, replacing Elina Garanca, who has withdrawn.
From the Vienna State Opera, featuring Olga Borodina in the title role.
“Meet our new chief conductor Lorenzo Viotti – Dutch National Opera”
Which much-lauded gem of an American artist is about to emerge from retirement?
Tell us: What was the best of 2025?
Parterre Box concludes the thrilling first year of Talk of the Town by inviting your lightning rod opinions on several more categories of operatic argumentation.
