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.
Our Own JJ has been thinking about Bayreuth some more, this time in the pages of Musical America.
Karita Mattila (pictured) sings a little Verdi.
Put on a happy face, cher public, and discuss off-topic and general interest subjects to your hearts’ content.
Coincidental with the ongoing parterre discussion about the careers of dramatic sopranos, our friends at Opera Depot are saluting the immortal Astrid Varnay.
“Women are lucky if they get a good 10-year run with these big parts like Brünnhilde and Isolde.”
Congratulations to world’s wittiest diva Martina Arroyo, who has just been named a recipient of the the 2013 Kennedy Center Honors.
The winners of the ninth annual F. Paul Driscoll Awards for Outstanding Achievement in the Field of Excellence (or, as they are colloquially known, the “Opera News Awards”) have been revealed.
Our Own JJ debuts in the pages of the New York Observer.
With almost three weeks to go, New York City Opera’s Kickstarter campaign is only $956,985 short of its goal.
“For heaven’s sake, learn to act also…”
And we have a Mot du Jour!
“New York City Opera… will be forced to cancel most of its current season and all of its next season if it fails to raise $20 million by year’s end, company officials say.”
La Cieca (not pictured) is delighted to hear of the success of Friday night’s vigil by Gays Without Borders for LGBT citizens of Russia at the opening night of the San Francisco Opera’s new season.
How better to launch this week’s general interest discussion than with a video of Joyce DiDonato singing “Over the Rainbow” at the Last Night of the Proms?
Utterly scientific polls follow the jump.
Ask not which soprano just canceled her only remaining opera gig for the year; ask whether the blue gown will fit her replacement.
When the world ended last week, it happened in New York City.
Here’s a canard proceeding from a clearly truthful premise.
On the occasion of “the greatest party for Classical Music on the planet,” the Last Night of the Proms, mezzo Joyce DiDonato quietly (but audibly) takes a stand for equality.
LA SCALA DE MILAN propose à Roberto une nouvelle production d’AIDA sous la Direction de Lorin MAAZEL ainsi qu’une nouvelle collaboration pour le futur.
Tell us: What’s your favorite Verdi performance?
Hasten thee to feed another quarter of conversation for The Talk of the Town!
