Tweet and lowdown
Everyone can go home now, because Twitter has reached its zenith.
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.
Leonard Pinth-Garnell! Thou shouldst be living at this hour
These mainstage programs will be augmented throughout the year by supporting videos, photos and writings that will help to contextualize the works in progress…
Desk set
Stefan Herheim‘s production of Die Meistersinger is set on the surface of Hans Sachs’ writing table!
Donc, c’est ce qu’elle appelle “faire la connaissance de Mme Haines”
Some interesting programming in Avignon next season.
Mary Garden as negative space
The singer refuses point blank to discuss the subject.
Ich sah das Kind
La Cieca hears that Dame Gwyneth Jones has added yet another “role” to hear already vast repertoire, that of grandmother.
A habit with me
Lyric Opera of Chicago’s general director Anthony Freud announced today that two internationally acclaimed opera singers, American sopranos Christine Brewer and Elizabeth Futral, have been cast for the new production and company premiere of The Sound of Music, to be presented next spring.
Two out of two fussbudgets agree…
“Anna Netrebko must state her position on gay rights in Russia”
Hoop dreams
Arrange your crinolines in a flattering pattern, cher public, as you settle in to discuss off-topic and general interest subjects.
Yet here’s a canard
The part of Lady Macbeth is different from any other role Verdi wrote because the composer insisted that the interpreter must have a harsh, ugly voice.
Sail away
Opening the 2013 Bayreuth Festival today, Der Fliegende Holländer conducted by Christian Thielemann (not pictured).
Get your kicks on Route Sechsundsechzig
Revealed: first images of Frank Castorf‘s production of the Ring, launching Friday at Bayreuth.
Exactly what it says on the tin
Florida Grand Opera to Honor Deborah Voigt with SMOKE & MIRRORS Celebration
Those “Das-is-ein-fideles-Gefängnis-da-werd-ma-einen-kleinen-Schligowitz-ein-schalten-net” Blues
Broadway actor Danny Burstein will make his Metropolitan Opera debut in the non-singing role of Frosch in this season’s performances of Die Fledermaus.
Agrees with critics that she is creator, not a singer
Mary Garden wondered last night what would have happened to her if, instead of coming to America with her parents, she had gone to a little town in Scotland, married and settled down.
In a jamb
Due to a household accident that has resulted in a severe concussion, Andris Nelsons will not be able to conduct the Verdi Requiem at Tanglewood on July 27.
Happy birthday, Licia Albanese
The legendary verista and Verdian celebrates the (official) 100th anniversary of her birth today.
With the air of an empress
La Cieca leaves her loge, though not “in disgust,” to join democratically among the plebian members of the cher public.
Les amours de Carmen ne durent pas six mois
With the well-known guitar player Milos Karadaglic, celebrating the decission of working together on a new, surprising and innovative project.
Canard à la mode
When people talk about an opera “production,” they tend to mean “the sets and costumes,” that is, the physical production.
Mavra, don’t ask!
And then she was all like, “Nuh-uh! Igor was so not gay,” and I was all like…
Count the days
What seems to be the European opera event of the summer, Elektra from the Festival d’Aix-en-Provence, will be webcast just a little over 48 hours from now, starting at 2:00 PM EDT on Friday.
“Mary Garden Sad” (actual headline)
She appeared almost like the ghost of Mélisande…
Who’ll stop the reign
La Cieca is most unhappy indeed to hear that coloraturafan, the undisputed monarch of opera on YouTube, has had his “fourth or fifth” account on the service deleted.