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.
In commemoration of the 20th anniversary of 9/11, the Met presents Verdi’s Requiem, with Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducting the extraordinary Met Orchestra and Chorus.
Tell us: What was the best of 2025?
Parterre Box concludes the thrilling first year of Talk of the Town by inviting your lightning rod opinions on several more categories of operatic argumentation.
Born on this day in 1919 dancer Marge Champion.
On this day in 1951, the film An American in Paris debuted in London.
A new collective bargaining agreement between the Metropolitan Opera and its orchestra, the last of the Met’s three largest unions to reach an agreement, was ratified today.
Featuring Juan Diego Flórez, Marina Monzó, Marta Pluda, Manuel Amati, Giorgio Caoduro, Nicolò Donini, Matteo Roma, Sergey Romanovsky, Pietro Spagnoli and Jack Swanson.
Jennifer Hudson “honors” Aretha Franklin by singing “Nessun dorma.”
Frank Castorf’s staging of the Ring, premiered in 2013 and filmed in 2016, provoked controversy right from the beginning. Marek Janowski’s musical reading was unanimously praised
The cover for Anna Netrebko‘s new CD is…
La Cieca has received a copy of a message, apparently from the Metropolitan Opera, announcing the departure of Diane Zola from the company.
From the Salzburg Festival, the tenor sings sings Chausson, Schumann, Brahms and Britten, with Mathieu Pordoy.
Sondra Radvanovsky, Russell Thomas and Jamie Barton star in this performance from San Francisco Opera.
Born on this day in 1923 actress and singer Alice Ghostley.
At long last the plans for the Met’s 2017 New Year’s Eve Gala are to be realized.
The Santa Fe Opera’s 17th world premiere is The Lord of Cries by composer John Corigliano and librettist Mark Adamo.
Awesome, astounding, Asiatic Anna Netrebko sings Puccini and Puccini/Alfano at the Arena di Verona.
Tobias Kratzer’s “novel… wrenching” (New York Times) 2019 production of Tannhäuser as a wildly contemporary parable of art and freedom.
Jonas Kaufmann and Anja Harteros star, with Kirill Petrenko conducting a Krzysztof Warlikowski production.
From the 2016 Bayreuth Festival with Music Director Marek Janowski and Stage Director Frank Castorf.
All-star gala at the Bayerische Staatsoper honoring the regime of Nikolaus Bachler.
Baritone Christopher Maltman stars as Count di Luna against the breathtaking backdrop of the ancient Roman Circus Maximus.
Baritone Norman Garrett, mezzo-soprano Sasha Cooke, and tenor Matthew White are featured.
From the 2017 Bayreuth Festival, Barrie Kosky’s Die Meistersinger, conducted by Philippe Jordan.
The final presentation of the Met’s Nightly Opera Streams features Sondra Radvanovsky, Kathleen Kim, Stephanie Blythe, Marcelo Álvarez, and Dmitri Hvorostovsky, conducted by Fabio Luisi. Production by David Alden. From December 8, 2012.
Live from the 2021 Bayreuth Festival, featuring Asmik Grigorian and John Lundgren, conducted by Oksana Lyniv.
A Baroque Valentine’s with Opera Lafayette | Feb | DC & NYC
Celebrate love in all its guises with tender ballads, amorous duets, cheeky verses, and bawdy drinking songs plus food, cocktails and wine.
