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.
“Rely on the flamboyant German soprano Simone Kermes to steal scenes as La Jolie.”
Please don’t stand on ceremony, cher public: jump right into the discussion of off-topic and general interest subjects.
La Casa della Cieca is open this afternoon for a cozy chat during the Met broadcast of La sonnambula starting at 1:00 PM.
In issue #46 of parterre box the queer opera zine (“Spunk”), you will find an endorsement by the legendary Astrid Varnay.
Alan Gordon has mass emailed AGAM again, and La Cieca’s got a copy of the missive.
Ineffable Igor Toronyi-Lalic (pictured, right) either spouts a novel canard or perhaps just froths incoherently. La Cieca will let you be the judge.
Divalicious Diana Damrau sings cuts from her new disc Forever tonight at Le Poisson Rouge, and, you, cher public, can see it livestreamed right here starting at 7:30 PM.
“This summer, [Susan] Graham will cap her season in Paris by making her role debut as Anna in The King and I at the Théâtre du Châtelet (June 13-29).”
From the Mike Richter collection, Act Three of Die Walküre at the Teatro Colón, featuring Hans Hotter and Birgit Nilsson (not pictured.)
“Rufus Wainwright: Why I love composer Olivier Messiaen“
La Cieca hears that Indianapolis Opera plans to cancel the fourth and final show of its season, Britten’s Albert Herring, “amid ongoing financial issues.”
“Last year, Freud sold 80 percent of available seats during the 2012-13 Lyric Opera season.”
“Mary Garden, it was announced last night, ate a Christmas dinner consisting of ‘sweetbreads, petits pois, and Maraschino punch’.”
La Cieca (pictured) invites the cher public to join in the fun tonight at La Casa della Cieca during the Met’s broadcast of Andrea Chenier, starting at 7:25 PM.
Masterful mezzo Joyce DiDonato heads the cast of this 2010 performance of Mozart’s Idomeno from the Edinburgh International Festival
“This powerful tale is laced with revenge, destruction and jealousy and the spectacular traditionally staged production features magnificent sets and costumes with amazing lighting and stage effects.” [Basingstoke Gazette]
No matter where you’re seated, cher public, you are encouraged to join in the general interest and off-topic conversation for the week.
Devotees of Dawn Fatale (and you are legion!) will be delighted to hear that the parterre scribe made an early (2001!) appearance in issue #45 of parterre box, the queer opera zine, ranting about the “squish-squish school of opera direction.”
The “arme Leut” who will be listening to Wozzeck this afternoon are invited to commiserate in La Casa della Cieca beginning at 1:00 PM.
“Union members have occupied Paris’ Opera Garnier in a protest over proposed changes to labor rules for theater workers.”
What better way to say, “welcome, first day of spring” than with Elena Cernei singing “Printemps qui commence?”
Mike Richter‘s documentation of the 1962 Buenos Aires Ring continues with the second act of Die Walküre featuring Birgit Nilsson and Hans Hotter.
After nearly a half century on stage, San Diego Opera will cease operations after its current season, said Ian Campbell, the opera’s general and artistic director.
“Opera can, in fact, be something beautiful and moving even when all a performance has going for it is some really excellent singing.”
Tell us: What’s your favorite Verdi performance?
Hasten thee to feed another quarter of conversation for The Talk of the Town!
