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.
So, tell me this, what do Anthony Tommasini, Zachary Woolfe and James Jorden (not pictured) have in common? Well, according to John M. Olin Fellow at the Manhattan Institute Heather MacDonald, these three “trendy” critics constitute “a press corps determined to push Met general manager Peter Gelb into conformity with European opera houses, where narcissistic…
Those lucky few of you who manage to scare up tickets to the Met’s second Ring cycle of the spring ($3,500 top) will no doubt want to start crossing your fingers now that nothing goes wrong with “The Machine” at the “prologue-evening” Das Rheingold April 26.
“Pathos and the high tone is not his thing,” helpfully explains Google Translate in reference to “Provokateur” Frank Castorf, who has been selected to direct the Ring at Bayreuth in 2013, celebrating the 200th anniversary of Richard Wagner’s birth. [Berliner Morgenpost]
Reviewing some old files while restoring the parterre mainframe’s hard drive, La Cieca ran across some predictions made in 2006 of what the current Met season would consist of. The details after the jump.
“The New York City Opera is at an exciting and critical junction in its approach to opera and its ability to connect to audiences in the broader New York City community. City Opera’s new innovative programing presents an opportunity to re-imagine and re-conceive current fundraising efforts for a budget of $13.7 M.” Yes, NYCO is…
Not only has physical therapy healed Mariusz Kwiecien‘s shapely back, it’s apparently added a third to the top of his range. [New York Times]
Nothing pleases La Cieca better than stumping the panel. As such, she will turn all the cards over and reveal that our most recent Regie quiz depicts Chabrier’s L’étoile, as presented by Oper Frankfurt, directed by Our (Occasionally) Own David Alden. A snippet of Alden’s show follows the jump; then you can mull over yet…
La Cieca (missing from photo) invites you, the cher public, to discuss events otherwise not specified during the week of October 23.
Ever wonder why a free press is the cornerstone of any representative democracy? Wonder no more: “MUSCAT: Renée Fleming is called the People’s Diva for a reason. She doesn’t have any airs, and her engaging charm works its way into the hearts of anyone who sees her sing.” And it only gets more fulsome. [Times…
It is with great disappointment that Betsy Ann Bobolink (second from right) must cancel this week’s listing of Saturday opera performances, however, after listening to seven performances of the extremely taxing title role in Donizetti’s Anna Bolena at The Metropolitan Opera, she has been ordered to go on 10 days of vocal rest by her…
Which maestro, a former music director of an American opera company, is now in the running for that title at the Met—assuming the company indeed has done a radical about-face in its plans?
As is so bloody typical when La Cieca leaves town for even a few days, news breaks all over the damn place. As you have no doubt already heard by now, Jay Hunter Morris will sing all this fall’s Met performances of Siegfried, replacing Gary Lehman who has canceled (all together now) “because of illness.” Lehman,…
“An eagerly awaited production of Mozart’s masterpiece Don Giovanni —staged by Tony winner Michael Grandage (Red)—limped into the Met Thursday dead on arrival.” [New York Post]
The untold want by life and land ne’er granted: Now, voyager sail thou forth to seek and converse during the week of October 16.
“Oh dear, dear, busy, busy busy,” said Bessie Bunny as she slipped into her pinafore. “Everyone will be at the HDTV today, and I shall have to chat all by myself. And look how early things start!
Separated at birth seducers “The Duelling Dons” demonstrate what the aristocratic redneck of the XVIII century will be wearing.
Good news, barihunk lovers! According to a press release from the Met, Mariusz Kwiecien will return to the stage for the title role of Don Giovanni on October 25, in time for the HD telecast October 29 as well as remaining scheduled performances through November 11.
Our Own Sanford graces the stage of Amore Opera tomorrow night as Dr. Bartolo in The Marriage of Figaro, and you can get $10 off ticket prices using the discount code “opening10”. He further treads the boards on the October 22, 24 and 30.
Tonight’s the night, cher public: the prima of the Met’s new Don Giovanni, conducted by fabulous Fabio Luisi and featuring that leading candidate for Einspringer of the Year, Peter Mattei. The fun begins at 7:30, both on Sirius/XM and on the Met’s Live Stream, and the effete will want to sharpen their knives in anticipation…
UPDATE: According to a press release just now from the Met, La Cieca’s prediction is already halfway true: “Peter Mattei will sing the title role in Mozart’s Don Giovanni on October 17 and 22 evening, in addition to the new production premiere tomorrow night, October 13. As previously announced he is replacing Mariusz Kwiecien, who…
La Cieca has just learned that La Monnaie, recently awarded the prestigious title of Opera House of the Year by Opernwelt magazine, is planning to stream all of this season’s productions free online. Currently on view is Luigi Cherubini’s Médée, featuring Nadja Michael and Kurt Streit in a production by Opera Cake fave Krzysztof Warlikowski,…
Congratulations to the winners of the “Long Live Passion” Photoshop competition! The identities of the victors and a glimpe of their scathingly beautiful creations, after the jump.
The Metropolitan Opera reports an “astonishing” $182 million in donations for last fiscal year, almost triple what the company garnered in 2003. The bad news is that James Levine is still collecting seven figures annually for duties that at this point seem restricted to New England pratfalls. [New York Times]
Peter Mattei will sing the opening night of the Met’s new Don Giovanni Thursday, replacing the injured Mariusz Kwiecien. Subbing for Mattei as Figaro in Il barbiere di Siviglia tomorrow and Friday nights will be Rodion Pogossov.
Tell us: What’s your favorite Verdi performance?
Hasten thee to feed another quarter of conversation for The Talk of the Town!
