The children’s hour
Ever on the avant-garde, Lyric Opera of Chicago has embraced the cutting-edge technology of “phonography” as part of their effort to attract young audiences.
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.
News from down under
“Kiwi opera singer Teddy Tahu Rhodes is reportedly involved in a sex tape scandal involving an unknown woman.”
La regina d’Inghilterra ho veduto cantar
“At Carnegie Hall last Thursday, a capacity crowd witnessed what might be the final official act of a monarch who has reigned for more than four decades.”
“Why Great Prima Donnas Are So Unreasonable”
“Because, science tells us, the expression centres in their brains take up all the blood supply, and the poor little higher, inhibitory centres are starved.”
Silver anniversary
In celebretion of the 150th anniversary of the birth of Richard Strauss on June 11, Our Own Jungfer Marianne Leizmetzerin offers a very special performance of Der Rosenkavalier.
Steely gaze
“Is that dear Mr. Plotkin I see?” queries a doyenne.
“Die Zeit, die ist ein sonderbar’ Ding”
Peter Gelb has single-handedly ravaged the finances of the Met not only during his own incumbency, but in the distant past as well.
The subject was Rosenkavalier
La Cieca looks forward to seeing (in the virtual sense) all her cher public bright and early tomorrow morning for the webcast of the controversial production of Der Rosenkavalier from Glyndebourne.
Gee, our old Chagalls hang great
It’s time to bring out the canard again, this time a whole row of them in fact.
Fish are jumping and the dudgeon is high
“Quaint camp, says Rupert Christiansen.”
Raven review
The NY Phil Biennial, a new music festival that is dedicated to new music, kicked off its first season at a drowsy time on the performing arts calendar, the week after Memorial Day.
“Your commissions are at risk!”
AGMA’s Alan Gordon cries “Havoc!” and lets slip the dogs of war, and by “dogs” La Cieca means “artist managers.” It’s another email, leaked after the jump.
“Too Tired to Attend Opening Night of the Opera”
“Even Mary Garden herself is said to be in a state of mind because Mme. Bourskaya has been given several of Mary’s best roles.”
Thick as thieves
This week’s operatic offering from Jungfer Marianne Leitmetzerin goes out as a request. Our Own Camille asked for (and got) a little Mercadante in the mix, a live performance of I briganti from 2012.
Moore, or less
La Cieca suggests the cher public kick off this week’s round of off-topic and general interest discussion with a little speculation as to which of Grace Moore‘s repertoire of operatic roles Miss Kathryn Grayson is enacting on this poster.
Warhorse
Live from the Bayerische Staatsoper this very afternoon, cher public, Bernd Alois Zimmermann‘s Die Soldaten, featuring the protean Barbara Hannigan.
Reflected glory
That fount of received wisdom Heather Mac Donald is at it again, calling out Our Own JJ for his desire to see a more varied and thoughtful dramatic reading of Rusalka at the Met.
So sleepy
Oh, Christ, can you fucking believe a spokesperson for the Met chorus is still clanking on about the price of the poppy field in Prince Igor?
The waiting game
This week’s gem from the Mike Richter collection is all the more precious for its rarity: a performance of Fauré’s Pénélope starring ravishing Régine Crespin.
Drive on
The battle of the management-labor emails continues with Alan Gordon demanding Peter Gelb fire his driver.
What would Mary Garden do?
…Miss Garden never even turned her head, although the noise was directly behind her.”
Magnum forza
Our Own Jungfer Marianne Leitmetzerin has unearthed a hunk of prime Verdiana: a live 1972 Forza del Destino starring Leontyne Price and Franco Corelli.
Into the weeds
Noted exemplar of Viennese frivolity Deborah Voigt will sing her first performances of The Merry Widow with Michigan Opera Theater in April 2015.
Kind of a drag
La Cieca hopes her cher public will not be at cross purposes when addressing this week’s off-topic and general interest subjects.