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.

Critics’ darling Critics’ darling

Born on this day in 1937 actress Sandy Dennis.

on April 27, 2021 at 4:45 AM
La Bohème La Bohème

Starring Sonya Yoncheva, Susanna Phillips, Michael Fabiano, Lucas Meachem, and Matthew Rose conducted by Marco Armiliato. Production by Franco Zeffirelli. From February 24, 2018.

on April 26, 2021 at 5:58 PM
Dialogues des Carmélites Dialogues des Carmélites

Starring Isabel Leonard, Adrianne Pieczonka and Karita Mattila, conducted by Yannick Nézet-Séguin. Production by John Dexter. From May 11, 2019.

on April 25, 2021 at 6:00 PM
Christa Ludwig 1928 – 2021 Christa Ludwig 1928 – 2021

The renowned interpreter of Wagner, Mozart and Strauss for more than four decades died yesterday.

on April 25, 2021 at 3:46 PM
Fidelio Fidelio

The first stream of this performance, starring Karita Mattila, Ben Heppner, Falk Struckmann, and René Pape, conducted by James Levine. Production by Jürgen Flimm. From October 28, 2000.

on April 24, 2021 at 5:54 PM
Satyagraha Satyagraha

Starring Rachelle Durkin, Richard Croft, Kim Josephson, and Alfred Walker, conducted by Dante Anzolini. Production by Phelim McDermott. From November 19, 2011.

on April 23, 2021 at 5:37 PM
Simon Boccanegra Simon Boccanegra

First time streaming, starring Anna Tomowa-Sintow, Vasile Moldoveanu, Sherrill Milnes and Paul Plishka, conducted by James Levine. Production by Tito Capobianco. From December 29, 1984.

on April 22, 2021 at 6:30 PM
“The Polish Yma Sumac” “The Polish Yma Sumac”

Czeslawa Gospodarek (née Cieslak), known by her stage name Violetta Villas, was a Polish and international cabaret star, singer, actress, composer and songwriter.”

on April 22, 2021 at 9:00 AM
La Fanciulla del West La Fanciulla del West

Starring Deborah Voigt, Marcello Giordani, and Lucio Gallo, conducted by Nicola Luisotti. Production by Giancarlo Del Monaco. From January 8, 2011.

on April 21, 2021 at 6:00 PM
Tristan und Isolde Tristan und Isolde

Performance of January 18, 2015. Conductor: Peter Schneider. Production: David McVicar
With: Peter Seiffert, Iréne Theorin, Albert Dohmen, Tomasz Konieczny, Petra Lang.

on April 21, 2021 at 10:00 AM
La Clemenza di Tito La Clemenza di Tito

Starring Lucy Crowe, Barbara Frittoli, Elina Garanca, Kate Lindsey, Giuseppe Filianoti, and Oren Gradus, conducted by Harry Bicket. Production by Jean-Pierre Ponnelle. From December 1, 2012.

on April 20, 2021 at 6:22 PM
Gold will never fill an empty heart Gold will never fill an empty heart

Born on this day in 1924 actress, director and educator Nina Foch.

on April 20, 2021 at 4:51 PM
Lohengrin Lohengrin

Starring Eva Marton, Leonie Rysanek, Peter Hofmann, Leif Roar, and John Macurdy, conducted by James Levine. Production by August Everding. From January 10, 1986.

on April 19, 2021 at 4:58 PM
Don Carlo Don Carlo

Michael Fabiano appears in the title role of the Spanish crown prince and Ana María Martínez as his beloved, Elisabetta. René Pape sings King Philip II with Mariusz Kwiecien as Carlo’s friend Rodrigo and Nadia Krasteva as Princess Eboli. Former San Francisco Opera Music Director Nicola Luisotti leads the SFO Orchestra.

on April 18, 2021 at 1:25 PM
Parsifal Parsifal

UPDATE: Now streaming, the new Vienna Parsifal as recorded Sunday April 11.

on April 18, 2021 at 9:00 AM
Turandot Turandot

The apex of the Met’s “Greed Is Good” aesthetic, starring Eva Marton, Leona Mitchell, Plácido Domingo, and Paul Plishka, conducted by James Levine. Production by Franco Zeffirelli. From April 4, 1987.

on April 17, 2021 at 6:22 PM
Rusalka Rusalka

Starring Kristine Opolais, Katarina Dalayman, Jamie Barton, Brandon Jovanovich, and Eric Owens, conducted by Sir Mark Elder. Production by Mary Zimmerman. From February 25, 2017.

on April 16, 2021 at 5:56 PM
La traviata La traviata

Starring Ermonela Jaho, Charles Castronovo and Placido Domingo.

on April 15, 2021 at 6:33 PM
Der Fliegende Holländer Der Fliegende Holländer

In Klaipeda State Music Theatre’s large-scale open-air production, Richard Wagner’s opera is performed mere miles from where the first motifs of The Flying Dutchman were born in the stormy Baltic Sea

on April 14, 2021 at 6:35 PM
Iolanta / Bluebeard’s Castle Iolanta / Bluebeard’s Castle

Starring Anna Netrebko and Piotr Beczala in Iolanta, and Nadja Michael and Mikhail Petrenko in Bluebeard’s Castle, conducted by Valery Gergiev. Production by Mariusz Trelinski. From February 14, 2015.

on April 13, 2021 at 5:32 PM
Cendrillon Cendrillon

Starring Kathleen Kim, Joyce DiDonato, Alice Coote, Stephanie Blythe, and Laurent Naouri, conducted by Bertrand de Billy. Production by Laurent Pelly. From April 28, 2018.

on April 12, 2021 at 6:30 PM
Luisa Miller Luisa Miller

Starring Sonya Yoncheva, Olesya Petrova, Piotr Beczala, Plácido Domingo, Alexander Vinogradov, and Dmitry Belosselskiy, conducted by Bertrand de Billy. Production by Elijah Moshinsky. From April 14, 2018.

on April 11, 2021 at 5:51 PM
Roméo et Juliette Roméo et Juliette

Starring Anna Netrebko, Roberto Alagna, Nathan Gunn, and Robert Lloyd, conducted by Plácido Domingo. Production by Guy Joosten. From December 15, 2007.

on April 10, 2021 at 5:01 PM
La Bohème La Bohème

Performance from October 2, 2017: Alexander Soddy conducts Angel Blue (Mimì), Brigitte Kele (Musetta), Dmytro Popov (Rodolfo), Lucas Meachem (Marcello), Duncan Rock (Schaunard), David Soar (Colline), Paul Plishka (Benoit/Alcindoro).

on April 10, 2021 at 11:19 AM