First of the last
An early preview of the new Netrebko/Barneboim/Strauss CD
, including Anna’s first performance of the “Vier letzte Lieder.”
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.
A page right out of history
“This is obviously a difficult situation. But who knows Hans New Rock, knows his cool and objective aesthetic decision.”
Silver lining
Leonie Rysanek made her Met debut as Verdi’s Lady Macbeth on 05 February 1959, and bade farewell to the company as Tchaikovsky’s Countess in Pikovaya dama on 02 January 1996. With this upload of her 25th Anniversary Gala with the company, Jungfer Marianne Leitmetzerin celebrates La Rysanek’s 88th birthday on 14 November 2014.
Fan club
La Cieca is sure that you, the cher public, will make good use of your idle moments this week discussing off-topic and general interest subjects.
Vola talor dal carcere
World-famous soprano Montserrat Caballé will not have to go to jail.
I have ever used to set the last Judgment Day before mine eyes
“That pathetic old woman is also a great and noble queen.”
Einspring Will Be A Little Late This Year
In her place, soprano Lise Lindstrom sang the role.
Gay cowboys rejoice!
During the Munich Opera Festival performances of Giacomo Puccini’s Manon Lescaut (28th and 31st of July 2015) Kristine Opolais will replace Anna Netrebko in the title role.
Dullsville
This was the kind of night that proves the haters right: sometimes opera is boring.
The deed to a platinum mine
No tracks available yet, but the Angela Gheorghiu Christmas album looks very, well, seasonal.
Gender change for tenor heartthrob
“We hear that Anna’s fiancé, the Azeri tenor Yusif Eyvazov, has stayed behind to understudy Joan Kaufmann in the role of Des Grieux.”
She’s got the world on a string
“Macy’s announced that the giant character balloons and floats will be joined by the opera star Renée Fleming…”
Screwing the Puccini
“Sonya Yoncheva will sing her first-ever staged performances of Mimì in Puccini’s La Bohème at the Met on November 14, 20, 24, 28, December 1 and 5, replacing Kristine Opolais.
Turn that crown upside down
For Verdi-sated New Yorkers, a different take on Macbeth, as performed at Covent Garden in 2011.
She fell in with evil companions
On this day in 1968, the musical Her First Roman closed at Lunt Fontanne Theater, New York City, after 17 performances.
Thine alone
La Cieca hopes that you, the cher public, will generously share your off-topic and general interest discussion with tout le monde.
Separated at “Birth of the Blues”
Judy Garland singing “Swanee River” and Ian Bostridge singing “Curlew River.”
An “Affair” to remember
Janácek mavens, Bayerische Staatsoper devotees and Pavel Cernoch groupies alike will be glued to their monitors this afternoon when Vec Makropulos is webcast live from Munich starting at 1:00 PM.
Red shoe diaries
Sonya Yoncheva will make her North American role debut as Violetta in Verdi’s La Traviata at the Met this January.
What’s seen cannot be unseen
Which Met superstar—who’s no stranger to blind items this season—is the first to accede to the Met’s suggestion of a fee reduction of 7% for principal artists in upcoming seasons?
It’s the most wonderful time of the year!
Just in time for Halloween, Decca Classics has released the trailer for the upcoming CD Renée Fleming: Christmas in New York.
“Rachel, please, it can’t matter to you!”
Finally the mystery has been solved: glamorous Joyce DiDonato and mousy Rachel DiDonato (pictured, left to right) are really the same person!
Mezzo piano
This week’s contribution from Jungfer Marianne Leitmetzerin is a more intimate one, sort of: a recital by Dame Gwyneth Jones.