La Cieca

James Jorden (who writes under the names "La Cieca" and "Our Own JJ") is the founder and editor of parterre box. During his 20 year career as an opera critic he has written for the New York Times, Opera, Gay City News, Opera Now, Musical America and the New York Post. He has also raised his voice in punditry on National Public Radio. From time to time he has directed opera, including three unsuccessful productions of Don Giovanni, a work he hopes to return to someday. Currently he alternates his doyenne duties with writing a weekly column on opera for the New York Observer.


Roberto Devereux Roberto Devereux

Sondra Radvanovsky, Russell Thomas and Jamie Barton star in this performance from San Francisco Opera.

on August 14, 2021 at 10:00 AM
Monster’s ball Monster’s ball

Born on this day in 1923 actress and singer Alice Ghostley.

on August 14, 2021 at 7:51 AM
Together again for the first time Together again for the first time

At long last the plans for the Met’s 2017 New Year’s Eve Gala are to be realized.

on August 13, 2021 at 11:45 AM
The Lord of Cries The Lord of Cries

The Santa Fe Opera’s 17th world premiere is The Lord of Cries by composer John Corigliano and librettist Mark Adamo.

on August 09, 2021 at 5:13 PM
Tears in heaven Tears in heaven

Awesome, astounding, Asiatic Anna Netrebko sings Puccini and Puccini/Alfano at the Arena di Verona.

on August 06, 2021 at 8:03 PM
Tannhäuser Tannhäuser

Tobias Kratzer’s “novel… wrenching” (New York Times) 2019 production of Tannhäuser as a wildly contemporary parable of art and freedom.

on August 02, 2021 at 5:43 PM
Tristan und Isolde Tristan und Isolde

Jonas Kaufmann and Anja Harteros star, with Kirill Petrenko conducting a Krzysztof Warlikowski production.

on July 31, 2021 at 9:00 AM
Das Rheingold Das Rheingold

From the 2016 Bayreuth Festival with Music Director Marek Janowski and Stage Director Frank Castorf.

on July 30, 2021 at 4:49 PM
Gala: Der wendende Punkt Gala: Der wendende Punkt

All-star gala at the Bayerische Staatsoper honoring the regime of Nikolaus Bachler.

on July 30, 2021 at 12:37 PM
Il trovatore Il trovatore

Baritone Christopher Maltman stars as Count di Luna against the breathtaking backdrop of the ancient Roman Circus Maximus.

on July 29, 2021 at 6:06 PM
Le roi Arthus Le roi Arthus

Baritone Norman Garrett, mezzo-soprano Sasha Cooke, and tenor Matthew White are featured.

on July 28, 2021 at 12:26 PM
Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg

From the 2017 Bayreuth Festival, Barrie Kosky’s Die Meistersinger, conducted by Philippe Jordan.

on July 26, 2021 at 4:05 PM
Un Ballo in Maschera Un Ballo in Maschera

The final presentation of the Met’s Nightly Opera Streams features Sondra Radvanovsky, Kathleen Kim, Stephanie Blythe, Marcelo Álvarez, and Dmitri Hvorostovsky, conducted by Fabio Luisi. Production by David Alden. From December 8, 2012.

on July 25, 2021 at 2:35 PM
Der Fliegende Holländer Der Fliegende Holländer

Live from the 2021 Bayreuth Festival, featuring Asmik Grigorian and John Lundgren, conducted by Oksana Lyniv.

on July 25, 2021 at 11:40 AM
Il Trovatore Il Trovatore

Starring Anna Netrebko, Dolora Zajick, Yonghoon Lee, and Dmitri Hvorostovsky, conducted by Marco Armiliato. Production by David McVicar. From October 3, 2015.

on July 24, 2021 at 6:08 PM
Idomeneo Idomeneo

With Matthew Polenzani, Hanna-Elisabeth Müller, Olga Kulchynska, Emily D’Angelo and Martin Mitterrutzner.

on July 24, 2021 at 11:55 AM
The stars burned brightly The stars burned brightly

Born on this day in 1921 tenor Giuseppe Di Stefano.

on July 24, 2021 at 11:41 AM
La Fille du Régiment La Fille du Régiment

Starring Natalie Dessay, Felicity Palmer, Juan Diego Flórez, and Alessandro Corbelli, conducted by Marco Armiliato. Production by Laurent Pelly. From April 26, 2008.

on July 23, 2021 at 6:59 PM
Les Contes d’Hoffmann Les Contes d’Hoffmann

Starring Erin Morley, Hibla Gerzmava, Kate Lindsey, Christine Rice, V______ G______, and Thomas Hampson, conducted by Yves Abel. Production by Bartlett Sher. From January 31, 2015.

on July 22, 2021 at 6:00 PM
Les Pêcheurs de Perles Les Pêcheurs de Perles

Starring Diana Damrau, Matthew Polenzani, Mariusz Kwiecien, and Nicolas Testé, conducted by Gianandrea Noseda. Production by Penny Woolcock. From January 16, 2016.

on July 21, 2021 at 5:57 PM
Cavalleria Rusticana and Pagliacci Cavalleria Rusticana and Pagliacci

Starring Tatiana Troyanos, Jean Kraft, P______ D______, and Vern Shinall; Teresa Stratas, P______ D______, Sherrill Milnes, and Allan Monk, conducted by J____ L_____. Production by Franco Zeffirelli. From April 5, 1978.

on July 20, 2021 at 6:09 PM
Le nozze di Figaro Le nozze di Figaro

Starring Renée Fleming, Cecilia Bartoli, Susanne Mentzer, Dwayne Croft, and Bryn Terfel, conducted by J____ L_____. Production by Jonathan Miller. From November 11, 1998.

on July 19, 2021 at 6:24 PM
Like a bird Like a bird

Born on this day in 1868 socialite and soprano Florence Foster Jenkins.

on July 19, 2021 at 10:33 AM
Turandot Turandot

Starring Nina Stemme, Anita Hartig, Marco Berti, and Alexander Tsymbalyuk, conducted by Paolo Carignani. Production by Franco Zeffirelli. From January 30, 2016.

on July 18, 2021 at 4:13 PM
Page 12 of 2911...8910111213141516...291