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 Eva-Maria Westbroek, Michelle DeYoung, Johan Botha, Peter Mattei, and Günther Groissböck, conducted by James Levine. From October 31, 2015.
Starring Nina Stemme, Ekaterina Gubanova, Stuart Skelton, Evgeny Nikitin and René Pape, conducted by Sir Simon Rattle. From October 8, 2016.
The full five-act “Paris” version, in French, featuring Michele Pertusi, Jonas Kaufmann, Igor Golovatenko, Roberto Scandiuzzi, Malin Byström and Eve-Maud Hubeaux. Conducted by Bertrand de Billy at the Vienna State Opera.
Starring Renée Fleming, Cecilia Bartoli, Susanne Mentzer, Dwayne Croft and Bryn Terfel, conducted by James Levine. From November 11, 1998.
The last Don Giovanni telecast this year, cher public, as God is La Cieca’s witness. Starring Marina Rebeka, Barbara Frittoli, Mojca Erdmann, Ramón Vargas, Mariusz Kwiecien, Luca Pisaroni, and Stefan Kocan, conducted by Fabio Luisi. From October 29, 2011.
Born on this day in 1890 comic genius Groucho Marx.
As a change of pace, let’s scope out the Finnish National Opera’s revision of Così fan tutte as a topical comedy about the current pandemic. Streaming and discussion begin at 7:30 PM.
Starring Lucy Crowe, Barbara Frittoli, Elina Garanca, Kate Lindsey, Giuseppe Filianoti and Oren Gradus, conducted by Harry Bicket. From December 1, 2012.
Starring Susanna Phillips, Isabel Leonard, Danielle de Niese, Matthew Polenzani, Rodion Pogossov and Maurizio Muraro, conducted by James Levine. From April 26, 2014.
Starring Amanda Majeski, Marlis Petersen, Isabel Leonard, Peter Mattei and Ildar Abdrazakov, conducted by James Levine. From October 18, 2014.
Starring Angela Gheorghiu, Ainhoa Arteta, Ramón Vargas, Ludovic Tézier, Quinn Kelsey, Oren Gradus and Paul Plishka, conducted by Nicola Luisotti. From April 5, 2008.
David Alden directs Diana Damrau in Donizetti’s melodrama.
Starring Christine Goerke, Eleonora Buratto, Yusif Eyvazov and James Morris, conducted by Yannick Nézet-Séguin. From October 12, 2019.
Barrie Kosky directs Michael Volle in this livestream from Zürich Opera.
Starring Sonya Yoncheva, Vittorio Grigolo and Zeljko Lucic, conducted by Emmanuel Villaume. From January 27, 2018.
On this day in 1928, Rodgers and Hart’s flop musical Chee-Chee (it’s about eunuchs) opened on Broadway.
Annette Dasch and Pavol Breslik star in Emmerich Kálmán’s operetta in a livestream from Zürich Opera.
Born on this day baritones Cornell MacNeil, Ettore Bastianini (both in 1922) and Pablo Elvira (1938).
Starring Patricia Racette, Maria Zifchak, Marcello Giordani and Dwayne Croft, conducted by Patrick Summers. From on March 7, 2009.
Starring Kristine Opolais, Roberto Alagna, Massimo Cavalletti and Brindley Sherratt, conducted by Fabio Luisi. From March 5, 2016.
The Met will be dark for more than a year, until the fall of 2021.
Starring Deborah Voigt, Marcello Giordani and Lucio Gallo, conducted by Nicola Luisotti. From January 8, 2011.
Starring Angela Gheorghiu, Lisette Oropesa, Roberto Alagna. Marius Brenciu and Samuel Ramey. Conducted by Marco Armiliato. Transmitted live on January 10, 2009.
La Cieca hears that major news is coming from the Met regarding 2021.
Tell us: What’s your favorite Verdi performance?
Hasten thee to feed another quarter of conversation for The Talk of the Town!
