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.
La bohème
Stephen Costello and Eleonora Buratto lead the bohemian pack this time around.
Tosca
“Soprano Liudmyla Monastyrska will sing the title role in Puccini’s Tosca on April 8 and 12, replacing Angela Gheorghiu, who is ill.”
ANGELA GHEORGHIU HAS COLLAPSED
The charismatic soprano has just canceled tomorrow afternoon’s performance of Tosca at the Met.
Der Rosenkavalier
“The current Met revival, while not perfect, has much to feel joyful and excited about.”
Falstaff
Today’s Met matinee broadcast is the final performance this season of the acclaimed revival of Verdi’s comedy.
Just once in a lifetime a diva knows a moment
In the biggest story of March 2023, awesome Angela Meade pulled off the Einspring of the Year, saving the Met’s performance of Norma.
Der Rosenkavalier
This much-anticipated revival stars Lise Davidsen and Günther Groissböck.
Turandot
The complete new recording played by Radio Beethoven in Santiago, Chile.
O, swear not by the matinee!
Helena Dix goes on for the broadcast this afternoon!
Falstaff
Another broadcast of one of the Met’s finest revivals of the season.
O, swear not by the moon
“For this evening’s performance of Norma (March 22, 2023), Norma will now be sung by Helena Dix, replacing Sonya Yoncheva.”
Lohengrin
“I greatly enjoyed the musical interpretation as a whole, even if I felt that many of the singers seemed a little lost, mismatched, or out-of-place in François Girard’s production.”
Falstaff
“In its current Met revival, happily, Falstaff has everything it needs.”
If it makes you happy
Protean Anna Netrebko has booked her first performances of Ponchielli’s La Gioconda .
La traviata
Angel Blue’s “experience in the role shows as the voice sails over the arching lines of Verdi’s cantilena like liquid velvet.”
Norma
Celebrate International Women’s Day 2023 with a broadcast of Bellini’s masterpiece.
Voyna i mir
Vladimir Jurowski conducts a new production by Dmitri Tcherniakov of Prokofiev’s epic. Streamed live from the Bayerische Staatsoper.
La favorita
Today’s “Listeners’ Choice” is a broadcast of Donizetti’s opera from March 11, 1978.
Lohengrin
Piotr Beczala is the Grail Knight in tonight’s live broadcast.
I’ll take the fall
The days are getting shorter, but you can keep the prattle going this fall’s Talk of the Town! You will, you can, you must join in the discussion about: Great mezzo soprano performances (October),
Gained in translation (November), Teleport me back to… (December).
Win a Free Ticket to Opening Night at the Met!
Quinn Kelsey and Lise Davidsen star in the Met's new Macbeth. We're giving away one ticket, so screw your courage to the sticking place and enter now!
