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.
Scent of mystery
La Cieca has been sniffing around her generally reliable (and fragrant) sources, and she thinks she has pieced together a list of the dozen operas to be featured in the 2013-2014 season of “The Met: Live in HD.”
There’s no place like Regie
La Cieca (not pictured) tips her hat (pictured) to the participants in our second “Regie to the Rescue” competition.
Provocative ad provokes, surprisingly
But not everyone is amused.
An unknown object draws us
Could there possibly be any more providential day of the year for New York City Opera to announce their Annual Fall Vintage Event?
Was hast du, Nemorino, du siehst so verstort?
In a rare last-minute change of program, the Metropolitan Opera has canceled tomorrow night’s performance of L’elisir d’amore.
All for the best
George Steel announces that New York City Opera is destroying, giving away or selling off most of its stock of repertory productions.
The medium is the mezzos
“Two generations of gypsy women dominated the first weekend of the Met’s new season.”
I had a dream
And in this dream, WQXR’s Operavore was hosting an exclusive season preview for the Met at the charming downtown Greene Space.
And now a word
La Cieca invites you take a moment from your off-topic and general interest discussion to take note of our latest advertiser.
Oral, history
“Yeah, I was in London and I got a text message from Renee Fleming.”
What she said
Our Betsy (pictured) orates: “Mah fella Merkins! Rally round the Pashmina Shawl and let your voice be heard.”
Yu’s on first
So what’s the news from the Met press office this late Friday afternoon?
Weia! Waga! Woge, du Web!
The Bayreuth Festival is trying something new and outreachy this season.
Future obscure
Which tenor, who shall remain nameless, is about to be replaced in a series of Met performances by a young colleague?
On with his head
Matthew Polenzani will sing the role of Leicester in all performances of the Met’s new production of Donizetti’s Maria Stuarda this season.
Out of the cradle endlessly rocking
No, not a Regie quiz—though that feature will return soon enough now that the season is up and running—but rather an image from the new Dmitri Tcherniakov production of Jenufa for the Opernhaus Zürich.
Putting the concept before the horse
No, that’s not how it’s supposed to work, Heidi Waleson.
Just one look
Which VIP at the Met’s opening night barely lasted through Belcore’s entrance aria before hustling out the door and leaving a gaping lacuna in the guest seating chart?
Read meat
After last night’s opening of L’elisir d’amore, the chirping of the first critics is heard.
I could go on gavotting
It’s taken more than a month for La Cieca to return to the Regie to the Rescue competition thanks in part to the generous wordage of the cher public.
A last-minute intermission feature
The cher public (not pictured, one hopes) are invited to discuss off-topic and general interest topics right up to the moment the lights are dimmed.
