… and now the worse news
A couple of tweets from Thomas Hampson detailing some grisly-sounding future projects.
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.
Yet here’s a chat
For your viewing and discussing pleasure tomorrow afternoon, cher public, La Cieca recommends a live webcast of Verdi’s Macbeth from the Bayerische Staatsoper.
Ancient German virtue of bravery gone missing
In a press release, the Deutsche Oper am Rhein at Düsseldorf has announced the cancellation of its controversial new production of Tannhäuser.
Final immolation update
The score in the Immolation Quiz now stands tied at 23 all, with both leading entries identifying wrongly the same two segments of the quiz.
Cover to cover
La Cieca (pictured) is thrilled to announce the debut of a new online book club hosted by Norman Lebrecht of “Slipped Disc” fame.
Miss Firecracker
Just like the pyrotechnics the heroine of The Firework Maker’s Daughter longs to create, this new opera for children is a delightful, low-tech throwback to a time before CGI took over the world.
Plank your lucky stars
The next scheduled appearance of the Met’s Ring production has been canceled, as irrevocably as these things can ever be.
Headless nuns in starless cast
The most sensuous sounds at the Met this week come from an opera with nary a love duet.
Any porte-cochère in a storm
Our Own JJ did a double header yesterday (you’ll read about in the Post starting Monday) and so La Cieca hardly has the energy left to say, “Discuss, discuss!”
The lady in question
… is Anna Netrebko, performing “Vieni, t’affretta” from Verdi’s Macbeth at tonight’s opening gala at the Mariinsky.
Double-barrelled
Elizabeth Bishop will make her Met role debut as Fricka in Saturday evening’s performance of Wagner’s Das Rheingold, replacing Stephanie Blythe, who is ill.
Maggio musicale
On this lovely first day of May, La Cieca encourages the cher public (pictured) to offer a word of thanks to this month’s sponsors of parterre.com.
Deanna Durbin 1921-2013
The silver-voiced teen star of film musicals of the 1930s and 1940s died earlier this week.
Bottle of angels
Our Own M. Croche (not pictured, presumably) has an idea to pitch to the Royal Opera’s advertising department.
Different from the others
Those of you who so readily groan, “Oh, dear god, no, not another Carmen! Give it a bleeding rest!” (and you know who you are) may lose that long face, temporarily at least, when you hear the exotic repertoire promised by Gotham Chamber Opera next season.
Fox news
In Leos Janacek’s The Cunning Little Vixen, the heroine is shot and skinned for her fur.
Avec la participation exceptionnelle de La Machine
La Cieca is always delighted when Met stars “cross over” into more popular genres of entertainment.
Hommage fires burning
La Cieca (not pictured) asks, is it just me (it usually is), or does the new trailer for the Royal Opera’s 2013 Summer season feel a little, oh, I don’t know, familiar?
Triple threat
Congratulations to Bryan Hymel (right), winner of the 2013 Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in Opera “for his performances in Les Troyens, Robert Le Diable and Rusalka at the Royal Opera House.”
Maytime
Let the discussion (on off-topic and general interest subject) bud and flower!
Constellation
Here, for the first time in 40 years, the CBS telecast of the April 21-22 gala honoring the retirement of Sir Rudolf Bing.
Fire down below
The Immolation Quiz now stands tied between two competitors, each of whom has identified correctly 20 of the 25 singers represented.
Black tie optional
Congratulations to the winners of the eighth annual F. Paul Driscoll Awards for Outstanding Achievement in the Field of Excellence, who were lauded at an impromptu “come as you are” get-together Sunday night at the Plaza.
Plus qu’un peu grise
To close its season this week, New York City Opera is unleashing hurricane-force gales of laughter.