Cell block tango
“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]
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.
And the Regie you rode in on
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!)
Ecco il ‘mondo’
“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]
Laughter to be short-lived
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.
Io ne volumi arcani leggo del cielo
Our Own JJ scoops the world, yet once again. By two weeks, yet.
Lunacy
A glimpse of Il mondo della luna, the Gotham Chamber Opera production opening tonight at NYC’s Hayden Planetarium.
Doge ball
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.
George Jellinek 1909 – 2010
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.
First, do no Haïm
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.”
Revenge is a disc best served cold
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.
Daddy vs. daddy
A new toy to play with, cher public: it’s called YouTube Doubler. (Caution: Video autoplays when you click through the jump!)
Missed connection
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.
Photoshop girl
For her role as Maria Callas in the Kennedy Center’s Master Class, Tyne Daly sure cleans up nicely!
C’est toi? C’est chat!
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?
Coronation
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.
Make the check out to Wenarto
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!
Rosa’s turn
“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]
The progress of a rake diverges
“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]
Happy Birthday Floria Tosca
Puccini’s shockeroo was first performed 110 years ago today, January 14, 1900, at the at the Teatro Costanzi in Rome.
Gone in 60 Seconds
“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 […]
Vienna, city of dreams
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!
Songs for the new depression
Washington National Opera in 2010-2011: dreary season, or dreariest season ever? [Washington Post]
Throwing the first chat
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.