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.
A tribute to an “obsessive” opera fan.
“In these few minutes we are given a précis of Leontyne Price as an artist.”
The Met settled with disgraced former music director James Levine for a cool $3.5 million.
On this day in 1968 mezzo-soprano Shirley Verrett made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Carmen.
Starring Sondra Radvanovsky, Joyce DiDonato, Joseph Calleja and Matthew Rose, conducted by Carlo Rizzi. From October 7, 2017.
Starring Pretty Yende, Matthew Polenzani, Davide Luciano and Ildebrando D’Arcangelo; conducted by Domingo Hindoyan. From February 10, 2018.
On this day in 1904 female impersonator Julian Eltinge made his Broadway debut in the Jerome Kern musical Mr. Wix of Wickham.
Starring Anna Netrebko, Eric Cutler, Franco Vassallo and John Relyea; conducted by Patrick Summers. From January 6, 2007.
Produced at Carnegie Hall by Matthew Epstein in 1983 with June Anderson, Marilyn Horne, Samuel Ramey and Douglas Ahlstedt with Henry Lewis conducting.
Starring Elina Garanca, Lawrence Brownlee, Simone Alberghini, Alessandro Corbelli and John Relyea; conducted by Maurizio Benini. From May 9, 2009.
La Cieca and the gang down at parterre box offer best wishes for a speedy recovery to Anna Netrebko.
Starring Natalie Dessay, Felicity Palmer, Juan Diego Flórez and Alessandro Corbelli; conducted by Marco Armiliato. From April 26, 2008.
With the lovely, largely now forgotten Adriana Maliponte in the title role.
Starring Diana Damrau, Joyce DiDonato and Juan Diego Flórez; conducted by Maurizio Benini. From April 9, 2011.
The operas of Saverio Mercadante are often said to be among those 19th century Italian works most worthy of revival; in case you’ve never heard one, judge for yourself with a 1974 broadcast of his best-known work, Il Giuramento, with Annabelle Bernard, Agnes Baltsa, José Carreras and Robert Kerns.
Starring Anna Netrebko, Matthew Polenzani, Mariusz Kwiecien and John Del Carlo; conducted by James Levine. From November 13, 2010.
“Several prima donnas have sought to resurrect La Vestale, including Renata Scotto.”
Starring Lisette Oropesa, Sophie Koch, Jonas Kaufmann, David Bizic and Jonathan Summers, conducted by Alain Altinoglu. From March 15, 2014.
Born on this day in 1903 actress Claudette Colbert.
“American mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato sings a program of alluring and acrobatic arias, accompanied by piano and chamber ensemble, in a unique venue—the converted Jahrhunderthalle in Germany’s Ruhr area.”
Starring Diana Damrau, Matthew Polenzani, Mariusz Kwiecien and Nicolas Testé, conducted by Gianandrea Noseda. From January 16, 2016.
Renée Fleming takes on the title role of Boieldieu’s La Dame Blanche with Opera Orchestra of New York at Carnegie Hall.
Starring Kathleen Kim, Joyce DiDonato, Alice Coote and Stephanie Blythe; conducted by Bertrand de Billy. Transmitted live on April 28, 2018.
“Trove Thursday” presents the late great Belgian mezzo Rita Gorr parenting Régine Crespin.
Tell us: What’s your favorite Verdi performance?
Hasten thee to feed another quarter of conversation for The Talk of the Town!
