La Cieca
James Jorden (who writes under the names "La Cieca" and "Our Own JJ") is the founder and editor of parterre box. During his 20 year career as an opera critic he has written for the New York Times, Opera, Gay City News, Opera Now, Musical America and the New York Post. He has also raised his voice in punditry on National Public Radio. From time to time he has directed opera, including three unsuccessful productions of Don Giovanni, a work he hopes to return to someday. Currently he alternates his doyenne duties with writing a weekly column on opera for the New York Observer.
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.
By La Cieca
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On this day in 1951, the film An American in Paris debuted in London.
By La Cieca
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.
By La Cieca
Featuring Juan Diego Flórez, Marina Monzó, Marta Pluda, Manuel Amati, Giorgio Caoduro, Nicolò Donini, Matteo Roma, Sergey Romanovsky, Pietro Spagnoli and Jack Swanson.
By La Cieca
Jennifer Hudson “honors” Aretha Franklin by singing “Nessun dorma.”
By La Cieca
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
By La Cieca
La Cieca has received a copy of a message, apparently from the Metropolitan Opera, announcing the departure of Diane Zola from the company.
By La Cieca
From the Salzburg Festival, the tenor sings sings Chausson, Schumann, Brahms and Britten, with Mathieu Pordoy.
By La Cieca
Sondra Radvanovsky, Russell Thomas and Jamie Barton star in this performance from San Francisco Opera.
By La Cieca
Born on this day in 1923 actress and singer Alice Ghostley.
By La Cieca
At long last the plans for the Met’s 2017 New Year’s Eve Gala are to be realized.
By La Cieca
The Santa Fe Opera’s 17th world premiere is The Lord of Cries by composer John Corigliano and librettist Mark Adamo.
By La Cieca
Awesome, astounding, Asiatic Anna Netrebko sings Puccini and Puccini/Alfano at the Arena di Verona.
By La Cieca
Tobias Kratzer’s “novel… wrenching” (New York Times) 2019 production of Tannhäuser as a wildly contemporary parable of art and freedom.
By La Cieca
Jonas Kaufmann and Anja Harteros star, with Kirill Petrenko conducting a Krzysztof Warlikowski production.
By La Cieca
From the 2016 Bayreuth Festival with Music Director Marek Janowski and Stage Director Frank Castorf.
By La Cieca
All-star gala at the Bayerische Staatsoper honoring the regime of Nikolaus Bachler.
By La Cieca
Baritone Christopher Maltman stars as Count di Luna against the breathtaking backdrop of the ancient Roman Circus Maximus.
By La Cieca
Baritone Norman Garrett, mezzo-soprano Sasha Cooke, and tenor Matthew White are featured.
By La Cieca
From the 2017 Bayreuth Festival, Barrie Kosky’s Die Meistersinger, conducted by Philippe Jordan.
By La Cieca
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.
By La Cieca
Live from the 2021 Bayreuth Festival, featuring Asmik Grigorian and John Lundgren, conducted by Oksana Lyniv.
By La Cieca
