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.
Of course the Met premiere of The Hours grabbed most of the attention last month!
By La Cieca
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Rossini’s comic opera, recorded November 16 at the Theater an der Wien.
By La Cieca
The world premiere of Kevin Puts‘ new opera opens at the Met tonight.
By La Cieca
A recording of a live performance of Wagner’s music drama from Seattle Opera.
By La Cieca
On this day in 1949 the Metropolitan Opera opened their season with a televised(!) performance of Der Rosenkavalier.
By La Cieca
Two artists make notable Met debuts: Benjamin Bernheim as the Duke of Mantua, and Maestro Speranza Scappucci on the podium.
By La Cieca
Tomasz Konieczny plays the title character, a goldsmith who is possessed by his jewelry, in a live videocast of Paul Hindemith’s opera.
By La Cieca
Catherine Foster is Brünnhilde in a performance conducted by Marek Janowski.
By La Cieca
On this day in 1952, the Metropolitan Opera opened its season with a new production of La forza del destino.
By La Cieca
Latonia Moore, Melody Moore, Russell Thomas and George Gagnidze lead the cast in this performance from Los Angeles Opera.
By La Cieca
Four acts, in Italian… the good old Don Carlo we all know and love.
By La Cieca
La Cieca extends the heariest imaginable thanks to our parterre box advertisers for the month of November 2022!
By La Cieca
A welcome return by Christian Ocier reviewing Wagner in far-flung Seattle led the top ten most read posts for the month of October.
By La Cieca
Video streaming from the Staatsoper Berlin with Christian Thielemann conducting a new production by Dmitri Tcherniakov.
By La Cieca
Nadine Sierra makes her Metropolitan Opera role debut as Violetta.
By La Cieca
On Thursday, October 20th, 2022, Grace Bumbry suffered an acute ischemic stroke. The renowned American opera star is currently hospitalized and in recovery in Queens, New York.
By La Cieca
Jessica Pratt and John Osborn star in a performance from Rome Opera.
By La Cieca
Michael Spyres stars in the title role of the ancient Cretan king, alongside Kate Lindsey as Idamante, Ying Fang as Ilia, and Federica Lombardi as Elettra.
By La Cieca
The Metropolitan Opera and other classical music venue are dropping their mask requirements for audience members.
By La Cieca
Sonya Yoncheva and Roberto Alagna star in a new production of Giordano’s opera at La Scala.
By La Cieca
Svetlana Sozdateleva and Brandon Jovanovich star in Shostakovich’s opera.
By La Cieca
Handel’s oratorio features Julia Bullock, Joyce DiDonato, Jakub Józef Orlinski and Ed Lyon.
By La Cieca
Léo Delibes’ opera, streamed from the Opéra Comique in a production staged by Laurent Pelly and featuring Sabine Devieilhe.
By La Cieca
