La Cieca

James Jorden (who writes under the names "La Cieca" and "Our Own JJ") is the founder and editor of parterre box. During his 20 year career as an opera critic he has written for the New York Times, Opera, Gay City News, Opera Now, Musical America and the New York Post. He has also raised his voice in punditry on National Public Radio. From time to time he has directed opera, including three unsuccessful productions of Don Giovanni, a work he hopes to return to someday. Currently he alternates his doyenne duties with writing a weekly column on opera for the New York Observer.

Hey there, orgy girl Hey there, orgy girl

La Cieca is delighted to be informed that radio station WHRB is presenting an “Opera Divas Orgy” today and tomorrow.

on May 13, 2021 at 12:00 PM
Tristan und Isolde Tristan und Isolde

Starring Jane Eaglen, Katarina Dalayman, Ben Heppner, Hans-Joachim Ketelsen, and René Pape, conducted by James Levine. Production by Dieter Dorn. From December 18, 1999.

on May 12, 2021 at 5:00 PM
Don Giovanni Don Giovanni

Starring Carol Vaness, Karita Mattila, Dawn Upshaw, Jerry Hadley, Samuel Ramey, Ferruccio Furlanetto and Kurt Moll, conducted by James Levine. Production by Franco Zeffirelli. From April 5, 1990.

on May 11, 2021 at 6:00 PM
La Bohème La Bohème

Starring Teresa Stratas, Renata Scotto, José Carreras, Richard Stilwell, and James Morris, conducted by James Levine. Production by Franco Zeffirelli. From January 16, 1982.

on May 10, 2021 at 5:30 PM
Agrippina Agrippina

Starring Brenda Rae, Joyce DiDonato, Kate Lindsey, Iestyn Davies, Duncan Rock, and Matthew Rose, conducted by Harry Bicket. Production by Sir David McVicar. From February 29, 2020.

on May 09, 2021 at 5:30 PM
Wagnerians Live in Concert Wagnerians Live in Concert

Transmitted live from the grand Hessisches Staatstheater in Wiesbaden, Germany, this concert features sopranos Christine Goerke and Elza van den Heever, tenor Andreas Schager and baritone Michael Volle, with pianist Craig Terry.

on May 08, 2021 at 9:00 AM
Wozzeck Wozzeck

Starring Elza van den Heever, Tamara Mumford, Christopher Ventris, Gerhard Siegel, Andrew Staples, Peter Mattei, and Christian Van Horn, conducted by Yannick Nézet-Séguin. Production by William Kentridge. From January 11, 2020.

on May 07, 2021 at 5:30 PM
Tosca Tosca

In Royal Swedish Opera’s concert performance,the title role is performed by soprano Malin Byström.

on May 07, 2021 at 11:00 AM
Norma Norma

Starring Sondra Radvanovsky, Joyce DiDonato, Joseph Calleja, and Matthew Rose, conducted by Carlo Rizzi. Production by Sir David McVicar. From October 7, 2017.

on May 06, 2021 at 5:32 PM
Hamlet Hamlet

Starring Marlis Petersen, Jennifer Larmore, Simon Keenlyside, and James Morris, conducted by Louis Langrée. Production by Patrice Caurier & Moshe Leiser. From March 27, 2010.

on May 05, 2021 at 5:30 PM
Elektra Elektra

Starring Nina Stemme, Adrianne Pieczonka, Waltraud Meier, and Eric Owens, conducted by Esa-Pekka Salonen. Production by Patrice Chéreau. From April 30, 2016.

on May 03, 2021 at 7:00 PM
Dido and Aeneas Dido and Aeneas

From the Grand Théâtre de Genève, a production of the Purcell opera with Emmanuelle Haïm (Direction), Franck Chartier (Mise en scène), Marie-Claude Chappuis (Mezzo-soprano) : Dido / Sorceress; Emöke Barath (Soprano) : Belinda / First Witch; Marie Lys (Soprano) : Second Woman/| Second Witch; Jarrett Ott (Baryton) : Aeneas.

on May 03, 2021 at 10:00 AM
La Rondine La Rondine

Starring Angela Gheorghiu, Lisette Oropesa, Roberto Alagna, Marius Brenciu, and Samuel Ramey, conducted by Marco Armiliato. Production by Nicolas Joël. From January 10, 2009.

on May 02, 2021 at 6:37 PM
Adriana Lecouvreur Adriana Lecouvreur

Starring Anna Netrebko, Anita Rachvelishvili, Piotr Beczala, and Ambrogio Maestri, conducted by Gianandrea Noseda. Production by Sir David McVicar. From January 12, 2019.

on May 01, 2021 at 5:37 PM
And now a word from our sponsors And now a word from our sponsors

La Cieca (not pictured) is delighted to welcome back to parterre box two of our nicest advertisers!

on May 01, 2021 at 12:00 PM
Losing a legend Losing a legend

Viewers flocked to parterre box last month to read the sad news of the passing of legendary mezzo-soprano Christa Ludwig.

on May 01, 2021 at 10:00 AM
La Traviata La Traviata

Starring Ileana Cotrubas, Plácido Domingo, and Cornell MacNeil, conducted by James Levine. Production by Colin Graham. From March 28, 1981.

on April 30, 2021 at 5:45 PM
The lady Eve The lady Eve

Born on this day in 1908 actress Eve Arden.

on April 30, 2021 at 3:01 PM
Manon Manon

Starring Lisette Oropesa, Michael Fabiano, Artur Rucinski, and Kwangchul Youn, conducted by Maurizio Benini. Production by Laurent Pelly. From October 26, 2019.

on April 29, 2021 at 6:15 PM
Faust Faust

Bertrand de Billy conducts; Frank Castorf directs. Starring Juan Diego Flórez, Nicole Car, Adam Palka, Étienne Dupuis, Martin Häßler, Kate Lindsey, Monika Bohinec.

on April 29, 2021 at 9:00 AM
Andrea Chénier Andrea Chénier

Starring Maria Guleghina, Wendy White, Stephanie Blythe, Luciano Pavarotti, and Juan Pons, conducted by James Levine. Production by Nicolas Joël. From October 15, 1996.

on April 28, 2021 at 7:11 PM
Color Me Karita Color Me Karita

Superstar diva on Twitter and everywhere else Karita Mattila has just unveiled her next project!

on April 28, 2021 at 12:30 PM
Kitten with a whip Kitten with a whip

Happy 80th birthday to triple threat Ann-Margret.

on April 28, 2021 at 8:00 AM
The Merry Widow The Merry Widow

Starring Renée Fleming, Kelli O’Hara, Nathan Gunn, Alek Shrader, and Sir Thomas Allen, conducted by Sir Andrew Davis. Production by Susan Stroman. From January 17, 2015.

on April 27, 2021 at 5:54 PM