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.
If any more women come forth with sexual harassment accusations against Plácido Domingo, the Associated Press is going to have to hire Leporello to keep track.
By La Cieca
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Soprano Lynn Spurgat returns to Carnegie Hall
Following a triumphant debut in 2018, soprano Lynn Spurgat returns to Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall on Tuesday, November 5, 2019 at 7:30 pm with pianist Jason Wirth for a program of beauty, drama and fun! This eclectic program features selections by Rossini, Rachmaninoff, Poulenc, Ginastera and Schoenberg’s Cabaret Songs.
This season, the Metropolitan Opera offers the opportunity for “loyal supporter[s} of the Met” to revel in home versions of Live in HD telecasts for “a tax-deductible contribution of $10,000, over and above one’s current annual Patron commitment.”
By La Cieca
Pene Pati, originally scheduled to sing Romeo on October 1, will perform the role in all performances, replacing Bryan Hymel who has withdrawn for personal reasons.
By La Cieca
“Ein Wort. Adjektiv. Vier Buchstaben. Aber kein Four-Letter-Word. Dick. So wie dicker Baum, dicker Hund.”
By La Cieca
Says Jamie Barton: “It’s so important for me to stand up proudly as a bisexual woman.”
By La Cieca
The Great Domingo Question loomed above all other topics in the sleepy month of August.
By La Cieca
An integral performance recorded earlier this month at the Pesaro Festival.
By La Cieca
It’s time for Plácido Domingo to man up and withdraw from the Met’s 2019-2020 season.
By La Cieca
La Cieca is delighted to announce that friend of the box Jonathan Blalock has joined the Atlanta Opera as Individual Giving Officer.
By La Cieca
Bass Zachary James models his brand-new tattoo of the winged sun featured in the Philip Glass Akhnaten scenic design by Tom Pye.
By La Cieca
A multibillionaire right-winger—best remembered locally for plastering his name on the once-beloved New York State Theater at Lincoln Center—has died.
By La Cieca
It is indeed tragic when an ignorant mass of plebes like the opera public openly scoff at the venerated Western Enlightenment standard of Trial by Headline.
By La Cieca
Born on this day in 1923 actress and singer Alice Ghostley.
By La Cieca
“Pitting the eminent conductor James Levine against the Metropolitan Opera, which fired him in 2018 amid accusations of sexual misconduct…”
By La Cieca
Anna Netrebko has canceled her Bayreuth debut this summer.
By La Cieca
The Glyndebourne Festival production of Mozart’s comic saga is telecast beginning at 12:30 PM New York time.
By La Cieca
It’s the cher public’s choice of two Verdian opera this afternoon!
By La Cieca
What better way to mark the passing of the monumental Hal Prince?
By La Cieca
Your top ten posts on parterre box for the month of July are actually a Top 13, thanks to a (near) three-way tie.
By La Cieca
The live performance from Bayreuth begins at 10:00 AM.
By La Cieca
The theatrical producer and director, who was associated with many of the best-known Broadway musical productions of the 20th century, has died. He was 91.
By La Cieca
The Met Live in 2018-2020 HD series (including Joyce DiDonato‘s role debut as Carlotta Campion) is now on sale.
By La Cieca
