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.
The little grey cells of cosmodimontevergine came in quite handy in unraveling the mystery of our previous regie quiz.
Do you not feel in the air that a certain legendary soprano will make a surprise singing appearance this evening?
Leave it to Maury D (pictured) to show how it’s done.
Congratulations to Cesare 15 (pictured, right) who came, saw and—after a false start or two—conquered in the very challenging “Piangerò” quiz devised by Our Own DeCaffarrelli!
La Cieca invites the cher public (pictured) to discuss general interest and off-topic subjects during the week of June 24.
La Cieca would never leave the cher public without something to gossip about, even in the middle of June.
Il maestro Fabio Luisi dirige correttamente e talora anche con qualche eleganza; ma sta così male sul podio!
The Tucker Foundation will be the subject of a special event on Wednesday June 27 at 7 pm, when WQXR’s Naomi Lewin (not pictured)…
That most operatic of all operas, Il trovatore, has been done many ways, but here’s a first: the warhorse as bottle episode.
James Levine received $2.1 million in compensation from the Met for the 2010-2011 season, during which time he conducted 31 performances.
Which much-lauded diva has been canceling lots of performances lately, but not necessarily because she suffering from “swollen cords,” as she claims?
Don’t let the headline worry you, cher public, what’s coming up after the jump is meant to be good clean fun, with a prize even.
Dull though the summer may be, La Cieca invites the cher public (pictured) to discuss off-topic and general interest subjects in the weekly intermission feature.
In short, which opera would most people most like to F.K.?
“Due to health reasons, Anna Netrebko has withdrawn from the performances of Massenet’s Manon.”
La Cieca (not pictured) invites the cher public (far left) to discuss general interest and off-topic subjects in this, your weekly intermission feature.
Miss Bobolink will be unable to do the weekly breakdown, as she is having her pique fitted.
Which summer festival is quietly preparing for a season with performances accompanied by two pianos instead of the customary full orchestra?
Which legendary fan will make the switch from opera house to newsprint when she is profiled in the New York Times this weekend?
After all the spectacularly bad publicity the Met garnered last month, Peter Gelb is now in Europe.
Here’s your intermission feature for the week, cher public, home to your off-topic and general interest discussions.
Reflecting my new mantra — “and would have gone on longer, had he not died” – here is The Curate’s Egg edition of the Saturday breakdown.
Russian children’s ombudsman Pavel Astakhov called upon the newly appointed culture minister to check a Russian-British opera production for sex and drug scenes.
For decades New York City Opera was a model of an organization with a clear mission.
Tell us: What’s your favorite Verdi performance?
Hasten thee to feed another quarter of conversation for The Talk of the Town!
