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.
Aleksandra Kurzak and Xabier Anduaga star.
The charismatic soprano has just canceled tomorrow afternoon’s performance of Tosca at the Met.
From Stuttgart Opera, a performance from 2022.
“The current Met revival, while not perfect, has much to feel joyful and excited about.”
In the biggest story of March 2023, awesome Angela Meade pulled off the Einspring of the Year, saving the Met’s performance of Norma.
This much-anticipated revival stars Lise Davidsen and Günther Groissböck.
Helena Dix goes on for the broadcast this afternoon!
“For this evening’s performance of Norma (March 22, 2023), Norma will now be sung by Helena Dix, replacing Sonya Yoncheva.”
We have just read the sad news.
Protean Anna Netrebko has booked her first performances of Ponchielli’s La Gioconda .
Angel Blue’s “experience in the role shows as the voice sails over the arching lines of Verdi’s cantilena like liquid velvet.”
Vladimir Jurowski conducts a new production by Dmitri Tcherniakov of Prokofiev’s epic. Streamed live from the Bayerische Staatsoper.
Today’s “Listeners’ Choice” is a broadcast of Donizetti’s opera from March 11, 1978.
Tell us: What was the best of 2025?
Parterre Box concludes the thrilling first year of Talk of the Town by inviting your lightning rod opinions on several more categories of operatic argumentation.
