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.
Forgive La Cieca’s less-than-avid posting schedule over the last few days, please!
In breaking news today, Margaret Thatcher announces her resignation as British Prime Minister…
Now New York City Opera has given us a “Così Fan Tutte” starring the undead.
Prepare to swoon, cher public, as the Bayerische Staatsopera presents yet another of their hunk-o-rama webcasts, Eugene Onegin, starring Simon Keenlyside and Pavol Breslik.
When Verdi’s Macbeth returned to the Met Thursday night, miscasting doomed the revival as surely as any witch’s curse.
La Cieca hopes her cher public can pull themselves together and enjoy the usual off-topic and general interest comments this week.
Well, if there’s a lesson to be learned from our most recent Regie quiz, cher public, it is this: trust your gut.
The cher public are reminded that Verdi’s Macbeth will be broadcast and streamed from the Met tonight, and naturally La Casa della Cieca will be open for business.
La Cieca (not pictured) would just like to point out…
The remarkable new/old production of La bohème from Norwegian Opera, directed by Stefan Herheim…
“Nathan Gunn Replaces Deborah Voigt”
So this is what it looks like when Faye Dunaway teaches Danielle DeNiese to sing “Vieni t’affretta” from Verdi’s Macbeth.
Our Own JJ (pictured, center) hopes all the cher public will take full advantage of this week’s thread for off-topic and general interest discussion.
“Though Mr. Herheim’s work is rigorous, it is also fun, and this Rusalka is serious but the opposite of dour.”
Which department at the Met must have had quite a shock at this bit of current news: apparently the son also rises!
Some, though certainly not many, guesses at the most recent Regie quiz, but no one quite hit upon the identity of the opera in question, Handel’s Alcina.
“Juan Diego Flórez made an untraditional Nemorino, his small but diamond-bright tenor unlike the luscious lyric voice usually heard in this part.”
A rare production of Rossini’s Otello, with a perhaps even rarer stage performance by Cecilia Bartoli (in her role debut as Desdemona) should provide an interesting afternoon’s viewing this Thursday.
“Pound for pound, ton for ton, it is the most witless and wasteful production in modern operatic history.”
The cher public is reminded not to touch the ladies of the ensemble as they discuss off-topic and general interest subject during the week of March 4.
“Joined by Maestro Kohn, Ms. Gheorghiu was a vision of couture fit for the cover of Vogue.”
La Cieca (pictured, right) would like to take this opportunity before jumping on this afternoon’s Aïda chat to address a site issue or two.
La Cieca just glimpsed this “save the date” from NYCO’s development department.
La Cieca hears that soprano Latonia Moore will make her Metropolitan Opera debut this Saturday afternoon.
Tell us: What’s your favorite Verdi performance?
Hasten thee to feed another quarter of conversation for The Talk of the Town!
