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.


Yours, mine and ‘Hours’ Yours, mine and ‘Hours’

Of course the Met premiere of The Hours grabbed most of the attention last month!

on December 01, 2022 at 9:00 AM
La gazza ladra La gazza ladra

Rossini’s comic opera, recorded November 16 at the Theater an der Wien.

on November 26, 2022 at 11:00 AM
The Hours The Hours

The world premiere of Kevin Puts‘ new opera opens at the Met tonight.

on November 22, 2022 at 5:00 PM
Tristan und Isolde Tristan und Isolde

A recording of a live performance of Wagner’s music drama from Seattle Opera.

on November 19, 2022 at 10:36 AM
“A gay event” “A gay event”

On this day in 1949 the Metropolitan Opera opened their season with a televised(!) performance of Der Rosenkavalier.

on November 18, 2022 at 9:49 AM
Rigoletto Rigoletto

Two artists make notable Met debuts: Benjamin Bernheim as the Duke of Mantua, and Maestro Speranza Scappucci on the podium.

on November 17, 2022 at 5:00 PM
Cardillac Cardillac

Tomasz Konieczny plays the title character, a goldsmith who is possessed by his jewelry, in a live videocast of Paul Hindemith’s opera.

on November 13, 2022 at 11:05 AM
Die Walküre Die Walküre

Catherine Foster is Brünnhilde in a performance conducted by Marek Janowski.

on November 12, 2022 at 12:00 PM
Tender solicitude Tender solicitude

On this day in 1952, the Metropolitan Opera opened its season with a new production of La forza del destino.

on November 10, 2022 at 6:49 AM
Aida Aida

Latonia Moore, Melody Moore, Russell Thomas and George Gagnidze lead the cast in this performance from Los Angeles Opera.

on November 05, 2022 at 11:00 AM
Don Carlo Don Carlo

Four acts, in Italian… the good old Don Carlo we all know and love.

on November 03, 2022 at 5:00 PM
A word from our sponsors A word from our sponsors

La Cieca extends the heariest imaginable thanks to our parterre box advertisers for the month of November 2022!

on November 01, 2022 at 2:00 PM
Westward turns the gaze Westward turns the gaze

A welcome return by Christian Ocier reviewing Wagner in far-flung Seattle led the top ten most read posts for the month of October.

on November 01, 2022 at 12:00 PM
Das Rheingold Das Rheingold

Video streaming from the Staatsoper Berlin with Christian Thielemann conducting a new production by Dmitri Tcherniakov.

on October 29, 2022 at 1:47 PM
La traviata La traviata

Nadine Sierra makes her Metropolitan Opera role debut as Violetta.

on October 25, 2022 at 5:30 PM
“She is a fighter” “She is a fighter”

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.

on October 23, 2022 at 10:50 AM
I puritani I puritani

Jessica Pratt and John Osborn star in a performance from Rome Opera.

on October 22, 2022 at 10:42 AM
Divina intervention Divina intervention

Jolie IS Callas!

on October 21, 2022 at 1:57 PM
Idomeneo Idomeneo

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.

on October 20, 2022 at 7:00 PM
Don’t mask, don’t tell Don’t mask, don’t tell

The Metropolitan Opera and other classical music venue are dropping their mask requirements for audience members.

on October 17, 2022 at 2:14 PM
Fedora Fedora

Sonya Yoncheva and Roberto Alagna star in a new production of Giordano’s opera at La Scala.

on October 15, 2022 at 11:45 AM
Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk

Svetlana Sozdateleva and Brandon Jovanovich star in Shostakovich’s opera.

on October 12, 2022 at 4:00 PM
Theodora Theodora

Handel’s oratorio features Julia Bullock, Joyce DiDonato, Jakub Józef Orlinski and Ed Lyon.

on October 08, 2022 at 12:00 PM
Lakmé Lakmé

Léo Delibes’ opera, streamed from the Opéra Comique in a production staged by Laurent Pelly and featuring Sabine Devieilhe.

on October 06, 2022 at 10:00 AM
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