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.
From the Vienna State Opera, starring Roberto Alagna, Aleksandra Kurzak, Ambrogio Maestri, Brian Jagde and Eva-Maria Westbroek.
Starring Elza van den Heever, Nadine Sierra, Alice Coote, Matthew Polenzani and Alan Opie, conducted by James Levine. From March 25, 2017.
Performance from the Vienna State Opera, October 2, 2019.
A little light distraction during tonight’s election coverage.
Webcasts helped keep both opera and parterre box alive in October 2020.
This performance has been canceled.
Starring Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, Renée Fleming and Dorothy Lamour, conducted by Harry Bicket. From December 3, 2011.
Starring Rachelle Durkin, Richard Croft, Kim Josephson and Alfred Walker, conducted by Dante Anzolini. From November 19, 2011.
Born on this day in 1923 soprano Victoria de los Angeles.
Natalie Dessay and Giuseppe Filianoti star.
Starring Teresa Stratas, Hakan Hagegard, Gino Quilico, Graham Clark, Marilyn Horne and Renée Fleming, conducted by James Levine. From January 10, 1992.
A new production of the 1920 Walter Braunfels opera, conducted by Ingo Metzmacher and directed by Frank Castorf.
Starring Ekaterina Semenchuk, Aleksandrs Antonenko, Oleg Balashov, Evgeny Nikitin, René Pape, Mikhail Petrenko and Vladimir Ognovenko, conducted by Valery Gergiev. From October 23, 2010.
Starring Kathleen Kim, Janis Kelly, Robert Brubaker, Russell Braun, James Maddalena and Richard Paul Fink, conducted by John Adams. From February 12, 2011.
On this day in 1956 Maria Callas made her Met debut as Norma.
Starring Adrianne Pieczonka, Marcello Giordani, Plácido Domingo and James Morris, conducted by James Levine. From February 6, 2010.
Starring Brenda Rae, Joyce DiDonato, Kate Lindsey, Iestyn Davies, Duncan Rock and Matthew Rose, conducted by Harry Bicket. From February 29, 2020.
Born on this day in 1922 actress, poet, playwright, screenwriter, journalist and civil rights activist Ruby Dee.
Starring Renata Scotto, Tatiana Troyanos, Vasile Moldoveanu, Sherrill Milnes and Paul Plishka, conducted by James Levine. From February 21, 1980.
Starring Renée Fleming, Elina Garanca, Erin Morley, Matthew Polenzani, Marcus Brück and Günther Groissböck, conducted by Sebastian Weigle. From May 13, 2017.
Starring Diana Damrau, Joyce DiDonato, Susanne Resmark, Juan Diego Flórez, Stéphane Degout and Michele Pertusi, conducted by Maurizio Benini. From April 9, 2011
“Soprano Diana Damrau and tenor Joseph Calleja, both longtime Met stars known for holding nothing back onstage, are sure to pull out all the stops for this performance.”
Starring Mirella Freni, Barbara Bonney, Marilyn Horne, Bruno Pola and Paul Plishka, conducted by James Levine. From October 10, 1992.
Starring Cecilia Bartoli, Ramón Vargas, Simone Alaimo and Alessandro Corbelli, conducted by James Levine. From October 27, 1997.
Tell us: What’s your favorite Verdi performance?
Hasten thee to feed another quarter of conversation for The Talk of the Town!
