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.
Starring Amanda Majeski, Serena Malfi, Kelli O’Hara, Ben Bliss, Adam Plachetka and Christopher Maltman, conducted by David Robertson. From March 31, 2018.
On this day in 1964 the film My Fair Lady opened at the Criterion Theater in New York City.
Sacre bleu! Renée Fleming eez ze reechest weedow in all ze Paree!
Born on this day in 1882 actor Bela Lugosi.
Starring Joyce DiDonato, Juan Diego Flórez, Peter Mattei, John Del Carlo and John Relyea, conducted by Maurizio Benini. From March 24, 2007.
Jonas Kaufmann was ready to jump into a concert performance at La Scala for the ailing Francesco Meli, but then the performance was canceled.
Starring Anna Netrebko, Matthew Polenzani, Mariusz Kwiecien and John Del Carlo; conducted by James Levine. From November 13, 2010.
From San Francisco Opera.
Starring Sondra Radvanovsky, Elina Garanca, Matthew Polenzani and Mariusz Kwiecien, conducted by Maurizio Benini. From April 16, 2016.
On this day in 1991 soprano Deborah Voigt made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Amelia.
Starring Elza van den Heever, Joyce DiDonato, Matthew Polenzani, Joshua Hopkins and Matthew Rose, conducted by Maurizio Benini. From January 19, 2013.
Born on this day in 1962 baritone Dmitri Hvorostovsky.
Starring Anna Netrebko, Ekaterina Gubanova, Tamara Mumford, Stephen Costello and Ildar Abdrazakov, conducted by Marco Armiliato. From October 15, 2011.
Starring Pretty Yende, Matthew Polenzani, Davide Luciano and Ildebrando D’Arcangelo, conducted by Domingo Hindoyan. From February 10, 2018.
Starring Natalie Dessay, Felicity Palmer, Juan Diego Flórez and Alessandro Corbelli, conducted by Marco Armiliato. From April 26, 2008.
Enjoy spectacular savings on everything from tablet computers to RIce Krispies during Amazon Prime Days!
Starring Anna Netrebko, Piotr Beczala, Mariusz Kwiecien and Ildar Abdrazakov, conducted by Marco Armiliato. From February 7, 2009.
“Pèlerin Deslieux had arrived to escort her to Carnegie Hall. They would walk over together. ‘There’s a queue from here to there!’ he told her.”
With Christian Nickel, Lisette Oropesa, Emanuela von Frankenberg, Regula Mühlemann, Stella Roberts, Goran Juric, Andreas Grötzinger, Daniel Behle, Christian Natter, Michael Laurenz, Ludwig Blochberger.
Starring Katarina Dalayman, Jonas Kaufmann, Peter Mattei, Evgeny Nikitin and René Pape, conducted by Daniele Gatti. From March 2, 2013.
Starring Hildegard Behrens, Christa Ludwig, Siegfried Jerusalem, and Matti Salminen, conducted by James Levine. From May 5, 1990.
Starring Hildegard Behrens, Siegfried Jerusalem and James Morris, conducted by James Levine; From April 26, 1990.
Starring Hildegard Behrens, Jessye Norman, Christa Ludwig, Gary Lakes, James Morris and Kurt Moll, conducted by James Levine. From April 8, 1989.
Starring Christa Ludwig, Siegfried Jerusalem, James Morris and Ekkehard Wlaschiha, conducted by James Levine. From April 23, 1990.
Tell us: What’s your favorite Verdi performance?
Hasten thee to feed another quarter of conversation for The Talk of the Town!
