Latecomer
La Cieca apologized for a tardy arrival at today’s Intermission Feature, but hopes that the cher public will nevertheless enjoy discussion of off-topic and general interest subjects.
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.
Bedtime story
Join La Cieca (not pictured) for an impromptu session of La Casa della Cieca this afternoon as Manon Lescaut is webcast from Baden Baden. The relay begins at 2:15 EDT.
La voce sua soave
At Camille‘s request, here’s some all-American Bellini from our dear Jungfer Marianne Leitmetzerin: a live performance of I puritani from New York City Opera featuring Beverly Sills.
You are most kind
In fact, as Madame Vera Galupe-Borszkh used to say, “you are every kind.” Enjoy commenting on off-topic and general interest subjects, cher public.
Wrecking ball
On the evidence of the trailer for the Baden Baden Festival, the upcoming new Met co-production of Manon Lescaut by Sir Richard Eyre (and who better to direct a German/American production of an Italian opera set in France and Louisiana than a Brit?) looks to be a fairly straightforward, if drab, update to circa 1940.
Congratulations Michael Fabiano!
The spectacular young American tenor has just been named the winner of the 2014 Richard Tucker award.
Boy wonder
Which clean-shaven young tenor must be feeling full of beans to hear he is the winner of this year’s Richard Tucker award?
Hast du Übermut?
From the legendary Mike Richter collection, here’s another segment of “El Anillo,” act two of Siegfried from the Teatro Colón.
Wings of desire
Tonight’s broadcast of Madama Butterfly from the Met is sure to attract many of the cher public to La Casa della Cieca.
The girl on the moon
“In Kristine Opolais, who gave her first Met performance in the title role on Friday night, the company has a Butterfly with the soaring voice and penetrating theatrical presence to meet Minghella’s elegant dramaturgy head on.”
Slate a lecture
“Miss Garden has prepared no titles for her lectures, explaining, ‘I will speak as I feel’.”
A coupla white chicks sitting around talking
On Wednesday, April 23rd at 8:15 PM, renowned soprano Deborah Voigt and opera and theater director Francesca Zambello, friends for over twenty-five years, join to discuss opera, inspiration, artistry and friendship.
Spring into winter
For those of you who might be feeling just a little too cheerful this week, Our Own Jungfer Marianne Leitmetzerin offers three performances of Winterreise, sung by Mark Padmore, Simon Keenlyside and Gerald Finley.
Different gowns upon a bevy
No need to dress for this week’s intermission feature, cher public: just show up and start discussing off-topic and/or general interest subjects.
Una donna!
As if you needed an even more exciting reason to drop in for La Casa della Cieca this afternoon: last night’s Butterfly Kristine Opolais is jumping into the role of Mimi, subbing for an ill Anita Hartig for the broadcast and the HD.
Enough with the whirling!
It’s time for lazy stage directors and lazy sopranos to find some other gesture besides the chain of clumsy pique turns (AKA “whirling”) that is the cliché go-to shorthand for “joy.”
Someday my prince will come
“Javier Camarena will sing the role of Prince Ramiro in the season’s three initial performances of Rossini’s La Cenerentola on April 21, 25, and 28, replacing Juan Diego Flórez, who is ill.”
The diva wears Prada
“Oubliez le XVIIIè siècle. A l’Opéra Comique, Platée s’installe sur les podiums d’une fashion week parisienne!”
Into the woods
Continuing “El Anillo” from the Mike Richter collection, Siegfried at the Teatro Colón (not pictured).
Do my eyes deceive me?
Which artist who very recently won acclaim at the Met will return to that theater very soon to provide an unexpected “bright” spot in a much-anticpated revival this spring?
Nymph errant
“German fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld is a household name; 18th-century French composer Jean-Philippe Rameau isn’t.”
Happy April 1!
American soprano Aprile Millo rehearses for her role debut as Clara in Porgy and Bess with Opera Orchestra of New York.
“The Met’s Andrea Chénier: less exciting than it looks in this photo”
The sad fact, though, is that the Met is not doing a great job or, in most cases, even a competent job at this core task.
My life as a doge
Jungfer Marianne Leitmetzerin has a rare treat up her engageantes this week, a live performance of Verdi’s I due Foscari featuring baritone-era Plácido Domingo.