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.


“Disgraced opera swindler Alberto Vilar” is now asking for leniency, or, to put it another way, he doesn’t want to go to jail. [NY Daily News]

on January 21, 2010 at 11:20 AM

La Cieca admits the Regie quiz candidate from a couple of weeks ago was something of a ringer as it was a new work, and a children’s opera at that. So it’s only reasonable that none of you guessed it was Antonia und der Reißteufel, as performed at the Vienna Volksoper. (Duh!)

on January 21, 2010 at 10:13 AM

“In space, no one can hear you scream — but in a planetarium, everyone can hear you sing.” Our Own JJ (not pictured) reviews Haydn’s Il mondo della luna.  [NYP]

on January 20, 2010 at 2:36 PM

Enjoy your mockery while you can, cher public. The New York Times has decided they are going to start charging for content “in early 2011.” So, in a year or so, you won’t have Tony Tommasini to kick around any more.

on January 20, 2010 at 12:43 PM

Our Own JJ scoops the world, yet once again. By two weeks, yet.

on January 19, 2010 at 5:41 PM

A glimpse of Il mondo della luna, the Gotham Chamber Opera production opening tonight at NYC’s Hayden Planetarium.

on January 19, 2010 at 1:00 PM

The Met role debut of Plácido Domingo as “Simone” Boccanegra (as those lady journalists insist on calling him) is the subject of tonight’s broadcast chat.

on January 18, 2010 at 6:55 PM

The host of “The Vocal Scene” and frequent commentator on the Met broad casts has died. He was 100. [WQXR] After the jump, a sampling of George Jellinek‘s legendary interviewing and programming skills.

on January 18, 2010 at 4:13 PM

According to the Opéra national de Paris website, “Le retrait d’Emmanuelle Haïm de la production fait suite au constat réciproque, au terme des premières répétitions, que le temps de travail nécessaire pour faire converger son approche artistique et celle de l’orchestre était incompatible avec les contraintes de programmation de l’Opéra national de Paris.”

on January 18, 2010 at 3:16 PM

Any article bearing the headline “I am doing this for the public” is sure to catch La Cieca’s attention. All the better when the “this” is a new recording of La traviata starring the exiles of Rome Opera, Daniela Dessì and Fabio Armiliato.

on January 18, 2010 at 2:57 PM

A new toy to play with, cher public: it’s called YouTube Doubler. (Caution: Video autoplays when you click through the jump!)

on January 18, 2010 at 12:48 AM

La Cieca hears that Emmanuelle Haïm has been protested by the orchestra of the Opéra national de Paris and will be removed as conductor of the company’s new production of Idomeneo opening on Wednesday. Replacing her will be Philippe Hui, whoever that is.

on January 17, 2010 at 11:27 AM

For her role as Maria Callas in the Kennedy Center’s Master Class, Tyne Daly sure cleans up nicely!

on January 16, 2010 at 3:58 PM

Cher public, did you think your doyenne would let today’s broadcast of Carmen go by undiscussed — especially since Teddy Tahu Rhodes is jumping in for the (presumably) ailing Mariusz Kwiecien?

on January 16, 2010 at 12:00 PM

Congratulations to Rysanekfreak (pictured), contributor of the best top ten list in La Cieca’s Oughty But Nice competition. The ‘Freak’s somewhat meta compilation was entitled The Top Ten Participants I Have Most Enjoyed Reading on Parterre Box During the Last Decade. Rysanekfreak will receive a $100 gift card from amazon.com. 

on January 16, 2010 at 11:17 AM

The Sultan of Seattle himself, Wenarto, thought of it first. In fact, he created the legend that is Izzy Anderson. And now, that British TV show has taken his idea and just polished it up a little. Royalties, please!

on January 15, 2010 at 9:40 PM

“Unlike Ms. Garanca, Ponselle was among the many Carmens who have tried some real dancing.” Why is La Cieca not surprised that one of the few intelligent and detailed surveys of the dramatic element of the Met’s new Carmen should be written by a dance critic? [NYT]

on January 15, 2010 at 8:13 AM

“I should make it clear here that neither have I married anyone with a beard nor have I ever murdered anyone. However, it was at this juncture in the early Noughties that my life hit rock bottom.” [The Times]

on January 14, 2010 at 6:41 PM

Puccini’s shockeroo was first performed 110 years ago today, January 14, 1900, at the at the Teatro Costanzi in Rome.

on January 14, 2010 at 10:12 AM

“Why can’t a general director with the fame, charm and ability of Domingo roll up his sleeves and work to realize his vision, rather than distancing himself from the results? The answer: because he isn’t actually there, running the company. He’s conducting Stiffelio, or singing Simone Boccanegra, or trying to keep up with his other…

on January 13, 2010 at 11:59 AM

Okay, Justin Davidson, it’s on. 

on January 13, 2010 at 10:08 AM

Set the DVR! Tonight on TCM at 8:00 PM: among the campiest of all operatic movie musicals, The Great Waltz, starring that most stratospheric of sopranos, Miliza Korjus!

on January 12, 2010 at 7:14 PM

Washington National Opera in 2010-2011: dreary season, or dreariest season ever? [Washington Post]

on January 12, 2010 at 2:00 PM

Because he’s seeing and reviewing Stiffelio later this week, JJ is recusing himself from tonight’s broadcast. But those of you who feel like discussing, you’ve got here and La Casa della Cieca.

on January 11, 2010 at 7:46 PM
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