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.
Renée Fleming reveals the horrible truth of what actually happened back in 1987 (and singing Tamu-Tamu wasn’t even the worst of it), but snaps back to teach a very fine master class indeed. [NYP]
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So, you remember Americans for Prosperity (i.e., David H. Koch, i.e., the guy the NYCO is honoring on November 5)? So, guess which issue they’re on the wrong side of this time? Health care reform? Well, yes, they’re still trying to block health care reform, but they’re multitasking, too. Now AFP is throwing some of…
Olga Borodina goes on tonight in Aida at the Met, subbing for an ailing Dolora Zajick. It’s on Sirius, for those of you who feel like chatting.
“Lafayette’s frothy delivery delights at Kennedy Center” [Washington Post]
Which red-ink stained opera company’s backers have made broad hints that they want a full-time director and fundraiser onboard — instead of the current General Director who can barely spare one day per week?
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The Nico Muhly commentary may continue here.
Brit crit calls Nico Muhly‘s work “slow, painful death”; Nico calls Brit crit “cunty” and makes fun of the funny way they spell stuff. Which means that the 2011 premiere of Two Boys at ENO should be great fun for all us sport fans. [The Guardian]
So, as I understand it, Don Giovanni is the Great Gatsby?
The best way to pay tribute to a legendary Wagner interpreter? Why, to perform the “Liebestod” as beautifully as Nina Stemme did at the first Birgit Nilsson Prize Award Ceremony just last week. October 13, 2009 More details about The Birgit Nilsson Prize Award Ceremony 2009 are online.
A different look at Salome — from the Deutsche Oper am Rhein.
First was littoraldrift, but funniest was Krunoslav in our most recent and (as one might say) entry-level Regie quiz, the answer to which was rather too obviously Falstaff. So, on to something more challenging this week, after the jump.
La Cieca realizes it’s not quite fair to judge an artist from a few minutes of video or from what is apparently a dress rehearsal. But it doesn’t seem to be going out on much of a limb to say: this Nadja Michael can’t sing.
I hate it when this happens. Rosenkavalier Duet
Good news for La Cieca’s competitive public! Tomorrow night during the Der Rosenkavalier chat (beginning at 7:15 pm), you all are invited to compete for recently released recordings of the beloved R. Strauss classic. After the jump, you’ll learn how it works.
“Les Huguenots… fell from my schedule due to concerns of distance and tedium.” La Cieca only wishes she had the blasé wit so consistently displayed at My Favorite Intermissions.
A birthday salute from Finnish firecracker Karita Mattila.
Just how badly does Robert Heuer want Stewart Robertson out of Florida Grand Opera? Well, so La Cieca hears, badly enough for the board to agree even in the current economy to pay Robertson his full salary for next season. This is despite the fact that the maestro resigned early this year, and has been…
La Cieca hears that Eva Mendes (“Crystal” in the recent horrific remake of The Women) will play Maria Callas in a biopic based on the diva’s life.
“Opera is above drugs and alcohol and you don’t have to be fucked up to either write it or see it. It’s about transcendentalism. It’s not of this world. So I’d suggest not being fucked up, because you’re just wasting your money.” Compositeur de musique Rufus Wainwright shares practical penny-pinching tips in Interview magazine.
Andrea Bellissimo (Laetitia) and David Schmidt (Bob) star in Menotti’s The Old Maid and the Thief, a presentation of the New York Metro Arts Vocal Ensemble, a group whose name is longer than some of the operas they perform. The opera runs tonight through Saturday; here’s more information.
Mary-Louise Parker, who smokes pot on TV; Angela Gheorghiu, who sings Carmen next year at the Met.
… so good. Keep your fingers crossed, cher public, that this morning’s tweaks have ameloriated the recent unpleasantness. Meanwhile, JJ is off to hear Madame Vera.
Tell us: What’s your favorite Verdi performance?
Hasten thee to feed another quarter of conversation for The Talk of the Town!
