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.

Fire Shut Up in my Bones Fire Shut Up in my Bones

Yannick Nézet-Séguin; Will Liverman (Charles), Angel Blue (Destiny/Loneliness/Greta), Latonia Moore (Billie).

on January 08, 2022 at 11:27 AM
Rigoletto Rigoletto

Baritone Michael Chioldi jumps into the title role for tonight’s performance.

on January 04, 2022 at 2:40 PM
Well, maybe next year Well, maybe next year

For a number of reasons including a surge in COVID cases, PROTOTYPE Festival has canceled its Winter 2022 season.

on January 04, 2022 at 12:05 PM
A paler white of shade A paler white of shade

“They weren’t booing me,” he clarifies.

on January 03, 2022 at 4:45 PM
Cinderella Cinderella

The abridged family version of the opera is heard again.

on January 01, 2022 at 12:01 PM
Rigoletto Rigoletto

A gala new production of Verdi’s opera, live from the Met.

on December 31, 2021 at 4:01 PM
Die Fledermaus Die Fledermaus

Live from the Vienna State Opera with Andreas Schager and Rachel Willis-Sorensen.

on December 31, 2021 at 10:17 AM
All she wants to do is dance All she wants to do is dance

Born on this day in 1936 actress and producer Mary Tyler Moore.

on December 29, 2021 at 11:02 AM
Aida at the Met Aida at the Met

Highlights from great Met broadcasts of Verdi’s Aida in celebration of the 90th anniversary of Met broadcasts and the 150th anniversary of Aida.

on December 25, 2021 at 12:00 PM
” In Hollywood, it is not easy to become a star” ” In Hollywood, it is not easy to become a star”

Born on this day in 1922 actress Ava Gardner.

on December 24, 2021 at 9:23 AM
The Magic Flute The Magic Flute

“The Met’s abridged, English-language version of Mozart’s magical fairy tale is a classic holiday treat for audiences of all ages.”

on December 18, 2021 at 12:00 PM
Cinderella Cinderella

Presented with an all-new English translation in an abridged 90 minutes, with mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard as its rags-to-riches princess.

on December 17, 2021 at 4:05 PM
Tosca Tosca

Yannick Nézet-Séguin leads Sondra Radvanovsky (Tosca), Brian Jagde (Cavaradossi), George Gagnidze (Scarpia) and Patrick Carfizzi (Sacristan).

on December 11, 2021 at 11:52 AM
The Magic  Flute The Magic  Flute

Rolando Villazón makes an exciting role debut as the lovable lout Papageno.”

on December 10, 2021 at 5:43 PM
Macbeth Macbeth

Riccardo Chailly conducts a new production of Verdi’s tragedy featuring Luca Salsi, Anna Netrebko, Ildar Abdrazakov and Francesco Meli.

on December 07, 2021 at 10:49 AM
Don Giovanni Don Giovanni

Featured in a new Barrie Kosky production: Kyle Ketelsen, Ain Anger, Hanna-Elisabeth Müller, Stanislas de Barbeyrac, Kate Lindsey, Philippe Sly, Patricia Nolz and Peter Kellner.

on December 05, 2021 at 11:13 AM
Eurydice Eurydice

Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducts Erin Morley (Eurydice), Joshua Hopkins (Orpheus), Jakub Józef Orlinski (Orpheus’s Double), Nathan Berg (Father) and Barry Banks (Hades).

on December 04, 2021 at 12:00 PM
Tosca Tosca

Yannick Nézet-Séguin leads Sondra Radvanovsky (Tosca), Brian Jagde (Cavaradossi), George Gagnidze (Scarpia) and  Patrick Carfizzi (Sacristan).

on December 02, 2021 at 3:54 PM
Coasting on Bohemia Coasting on Bohemia

The Met’s antiquated production of La bohéme proved as popular with our readers as  it did with audiences last  month!

on December 01, 2021 at 10:26 AM
La traviata La traviata

Lisette Oropesa stars in Verdi’s tragic masterpiece at the Royal Opera House, with Liparit Avetisyan and Christian Gerhaher.

on November 27, 2021 at 1:31 PM
Stephen Sondheim 1930-2021 Stephen Sondheim 1930-2021

The master of Broadway musical theater died suddenly earlier today at his home in Connecticut.

on November 26, 2021 at 5:12 PM
Eurydice Eurydice

Matthew Aucoin and librettist Sarah Ruhl’s reimagination of the ancient Orpheus myth, told from Eurydice’s point of view. Erin Morley stars in the title role, with Yannick Nézet-Séguin on the podium.

on November 23, 2021 at 5:10 PM
Theodora Theodora

A concert performance featuring Lisette Oropesa, Joyce DiDonato and Michael Spyres, with Il Pomo d’Oro Choir and Orchestra conducted by Maxim Emelyanychev.

on November 22, 2021 at 12:00 PM
“It’s just that she loves too much” “It’s just that she loves too much”

Born on this day in 1920 actress Gene Tierney.

on November 19, 2021 at 10:15 AM