This used to be the future
Like all true opera queens, the parterrians live in the time to come. Thus this month’s #1 most read post!
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.
The Metropolitan Opera’s 2023-2024 season announcment
Six contemporary operas, including four Metropolitan premieres, headline the company’s upcoming season, which was announced today at noon.
Don Carlo
A live recording of the four-act version of Verdi’s opera from the fall.
The old work of genius
On this day in 1918 the Metropolitan Opera presented a new production of Bellini’s I puritani featuring soprano Maria Barrientos.
Salome
A live video stream of a new production of Strauss’s opera from the Vienna State Opera.
Emotional vitality
On this day in 1958 soprano Gloria Davy made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Aida.
Cavalleria Rusticana and Pagliacci
A historic performance from 1970 featuring Leonard Bernstein conducting Grace Bumbry and Franco Corelli in Cavalleria Rusticana, and Fausto Cleva conducting Teresa Stratas and Richard Tucker in Pagliacci.
Rather disarming
On this day in 1968 mezzo-soprano Fiorenza Cossotto made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Amneris.
Macbeth
In this historic Met broadcast from 50 years ago, Francesco Molinari-Pradelli leads Sherrill Milnes and Martina Arroyo.
Giulio Cesare
Emmanuelle Haïm and Calixto Bieito collaborate on a new production of Handel’s opera seria from the Dutch National Opera.
Post of great Price
The ineffable Miss Leontyne Price, anthologized as a subject for Chris’s Cache, swept the board in January 2023.
Aida
Recorded at the Vienna State Opera earlier this month: Anna Netrebko sings her first Aida and Jonas Kaufmann his first Radames at the Vienna State Opera, Elina Garanca makes her long-awaited debut as Amneris, Luca Salsi can be heard as Amonasro.
I vespri siciliani
This new production of Verdi’s grand opera will star Piero Pretti, Marina Rebeka, Luca Micheletti and Simon Lim.
La traviata
Ermonela Jaho takes her leave of the role of Violetta at the Met tonight.
Dialogues des Carmélites
A first listen to this season’s remarkably strong cast for Poulenc’s masterpiece.
Fedora
Live from the Met: Sonya Yoncheva sings the title role of the 19th-century Russian princess, opposite Piotr Beczala as the dashing Count Loris.
L’elisir d’amore
Featuring Golda Schultz as the clever Adina and Javier Camarena as the hapless Nemorino.
“Ne me refuse pas!”
So, give me three good reasons we should not hear Jamie Barton as the mother of Salomé?
Medea
“Sondra Radvanovsky has an unconventional voice that is suited to unconventional characters and is best used in rangy, difficult music,” as heard on today’s Met broadcast.
“The greatest dream”
On this day in 1955 contralto Marian Anderson made her historic Metropolitan Opera debut.
La traviata
Soprano Ermonela Jaho brings her celebrated interpretation of La traviata to the Met at long last.
Step aside, Texas
The fraught opening night of what surely must be this time around the final hurrah of the Mets old Aida production: That’s what people wanted to read about in December.
I’ll take the fall
The days are getting shorter, but you can keep the prattle going this fall’s Talk of the Town! You will, you can, you must join in the discussion about: Great mezzo soprano performances (October),
Gained in translation (November), Teleport me back to… (December).
Win a Free Ticket to Opening Night at the Met!
Quinn Kelsey and Lise Davidsen star in the Met's new Macbeth. We're giving away one ticket, so screw your courage to the sticking place and enter now!
