Brokeback chattin’
The webcast of Charles Wuorinen‘s Brokeback Mountain starting this afternoon at 2:00 PM is also the occasion for a chat over at La Casa della Cieca.
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.
Polovtsian Chat Number 1
Starring at 6:55 this evening, cher public, the offical parterre chat on the Met’s broadcast of Prince Igor begins at La Casa della Cieca.
Everything’s coming up Londonderry
“Songs and arias by Wagner, Delibes, Cantaloube and a show stopping rendition of Danny Boy.”
Food of the gods
Treat yourself to the beauty and pageantry that is grand opera at the Metropolitan Opera.
Talor dal mio forziere
A summer performance of a wintry treat is this week’s bonbon from the Mike Richter collection, this time from his Opera from Munich CD-ROM, AE204.
On with the motley
In Issue #40 of parterre box, the queer opera zine, Our Own JJ nabs lengthy interviews with critic John Ardoin and tenor Richard Leech.
No one will be seated during the controversial “Rolling on Molly” sequence
First video snippets of the new Prince Igor are now live on the Met’s website.
Jersey girl
One has “made it” when one is gently lampooned by that edgiest of all late-night funnymen, Jay Leno.
Labor days
AGMA’s Alan Gordon warns his membership of a possible lockout by the Met if contract negotiations break down this summer.
Something besides Mary is outrageous, for once
“The gowns took weeks to make, therefore you will realize how difficult it would be to make a fixed price for gowns created by Lady Duff-Gordon.”
Fresh air
Our Own Jungfer Marianne Leitmetzerin returns with a treat from the Teatro Colon: a live performance of Manon Lescaut starring Monterrat Caballé and Richard Tucker!
Where’s the fire?
Don’t be in such a hurry, cher public: linger a while to discuss off=topic and general interest subjects.
Happy February 1!
To celebrate the birthday of Renata Tebaldi, our friends at Opera Depot are offering a free download of live performances by this great diva.
Catch of another day
“A charming musical performance welded to a dramatic production so old and stale that, like fish left out too long, it’s starting to smell.”
Fire and music
“In her first role in a play, Ms. Fleming will make her debut at the [Williamstown Theater Festival] in Living on Love…”
Don’t bother with a rewrite
La Cieca’s operative deep in the bowels of the Josie Robertson Plaza has just informed her that the announcement of the Met’s 2014-2015 season is now less than two weeks away.
Your doyenne’s goodness is extreme
Well, “extreme” is such an, oh, how shall I put it… extreme word, my dears; really La Cieca is no more than the humble intermediary here between Mike Richter‘s CD-ROMs and you, the cher public. This time our treat from the trove is Eugene Onegin, a selection from his disc devoted to the Metropolitan Opera […]
Borne back ceaselessly into the past
So, cher public, have you heard about this fabulous new plan to revive the New York City Opera under the direction of Michael Capasso?
Ennis del Mar! Il storpi montano splende come un santo altar
“The cast, to a member, embraces every chance…”
I’ve something to say that’s less than urgent
peaking of vicious-minded small town gossips, Rupert Christiansen (not pictured) is at his exercise again this morning, trying to tempt Dame Felicity Palmer into saying unpleasant things about David Alden and Richard Jones.
Drama queen
The very first words in this issue are “Renata Scotto will return to the American operatic stage in the 2001 season!”
Separated at pearls?
Harmonious Sondra Radvanovsky and hormonal Justin Vivian Bond.
Gentlemen, start your engines!
“Era of the ‘Fat Lady’ is Over, Says American Soprano Danielle de Niese“
Bottom line
“Revenue for performances in the [Metropolitan] opera house ended up at 69% of total potential box office revenue in the 2012?2013 season (79% of seats were purchased, including discounts).”