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.
This week, Our Own Jungfer Marianne Leizmetzerin presents what is perhaps the briefest Bühnenweihfestspiel on record.
La Cieca admits she has nothing prepared, so you, the cher public, will have to keep yourselves amused with discussion of off-topic and general interest subjects.
Our Own Coloraturafan salutes the summer festival season with a compilation of Ladies Macbeth singing “La luce langue.”
Lucky Müncheners won’t be the only ones reveling in Rossini this afternoon: the opening of the Bayerische Staatsoper’s Guillaume Tell will be webcast starting at noon EDT, naturally with a session at La Casa della Cieca devoted to discussion.
The legendary conductor, mainstay of New York City Opera for 35 years, has died, says @nprclassical.
From one of the earliest Mike Richter CD-ROMs, “Odd Opera,” comes a piece definitely fitting that description.
The Met’s administrative offices were vandalized this morning, with “obscene messages” sprayed “on some paintings and sculptures.”
“Now, ‘grand’ can mean ‘opulent’ or ‘magnificent,’ which this concert’s singers certainly were.”
Guys, this would be funny if if weren’t so scary.
Luxuriantly maned divos Dmitri Hvorostovsky and Roberto Alagna rehearse Otello.
“God knows some day I hope to love a man,” says actress Mary Garden.
Smoldering Vesselina Kasarova is Carmen in a 2009 live performance from the Wiener Staatsoper, this week’s offering from Jungfer Marianne Leizmetzerin.
Take advantage of this brief interval, cher public, to discuss off-topic and general interest subjects.
With all due respect to Meryl Streep, there is only one actress currently active in film qualified to play Maria Callas.
Jaw-breaking soprano Tamar Iveri is trying to walk back her recent homophobic rant by saying she has “many gay friends.”
Our Own JJ (not pictured) debates Tim Smith, classical music critic of the Baltimore Sun, on the topic of the Met’s cancellation of the HD telecast of The Death of Klinghoffer.
“The award-winning MET Orchestra’s global reputation as a top-tier ensemble is critical to New York City’s tourism and cultural economy.”
It had to happen sooner or later: Meryl Streep will play Maria Callas.
Bowing to pressure from “the Anti-Defamation League, representing the wishes of the Klinghoffer daughters,” the Met has canceled its scheduled HD telecast of The Death of Klinghoffer next season.
The Hartford Wagner Festival’s production of Das Rheingold has been canceled.
Jungfer Marianne Leitmetzerin offers something a little different for this week’s curtain raiser: a performance of Dido and Aeneas by Les Arts Florissants under the direction of William Christie.
Please forgive La Cieca’s tardiness this week, cher public, but she had a major snafu with her toilette.
La Cieca hears that the Met’s planned production of West Side Story in the 2017-2018 season has been shelved.
“But,” he added, “I find it distressing to be threatened by other artists.”
Tell us: What’s your favorite Verdi performance?
Hasten thee to feed another quarter of conversation for The Talk of the Town!
