La Cieca
James Jorden (who writes under the names "La Cieca" and "Our Own JJ") is the founder and editor of parterre box. During his 20 year career as an opera critic he has written for the New York Times, Opera, Gay City News, Opera Now, Musical America and the New York Post. He has also raised his voice in punditry on National Public Radio. From time to time he has directed opera, including three unsuccessful productions of Don Giovanni, a work he hopes to return to someday. Currently he alternates his doyenne duties with writing a weekly column on opera for the New York Observer.
Sponsored
Opera Lafayette Presents a Unique ‘Leonore’
Beethoven’s Leonore, the centerpiece of Opera Lafayette’s 25th-anniversary season, will be heard in a way no one has had the opportunity to imagine it since 1805. Conductor and musicologist Will Crutchfield has completed a score based on Beethoven’s extensive sketches for this performance. Monday, March 2.
“Etienne Dupuis will sing the Count in the February 5, 8, and 11 performances of Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro, replacing Mariusz Kwiecien.“
By La Cieca
“Asked to Perform Naked, This Is How One Star Got in Shape—Fast”
By La Cieca
On this day in 1995 Terrence McNally‘s play Master Class opened on Broadway at the Golden Theatre, to run 598 performances.
By La Cieca
Gluck’s masterpiece returns to the streamwaves tonight for your listening and chatting pleasure.
By La Cieca
Let’s hear a resounding round of applause for parterre box‘s advertisers for the month of November:
By La Cieca
Sadly, the news of the passing of two beloved artists provided much of the traffic on parterre box last month.
By La Cieca
“Tony could only sing one note and the note he sang was this…”
By La Cieca
The season premiere of the Met’s sempiternal warhorse begins tonight at 7:25.
By La Cieca
Of more than 13,000 tickets to the ROH’s Fidelio starring Jonas Kaufmann, only “hundreds” will be made available to the public.
By La Cieca
With all the greatest respect for Jessye Norman as an artist, I do wish people would stop quoting her vain and defensive statements about critics as if she were some kind of oracle.
By La Cieca
Jonas Kaufmann is among the top talent gathered for a program offering hands-on experience in the discipline of your choice.
By La Cieca
Ildar Abdrazakov has had to withdraw from LOC’s Don Giovanni.
By La Cieca
On this day in 1991 soprano Deborah Voigt made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Amelia.
By La Cieca
An “opera critic” is still terrified of productions that closed a generation ago.
By La Cieca
A second helping of The Gershwins’ gorgeous folk opera from the Met.
By La Cieca
Separated at smirk: base George Sanders and bass René Pape.
By La Cieca
“I showed up at dress rehearsal and doggone it, they were doing Turandot instead. Was my face ever red!”
By La Cieca
On this day in 1976 soprano Hildegard Behrens made her Metropolitan Opera debut as Giorgetta in Il tabarro.
By La Cieca
Here’s a look at the genuinely sensational performance by Asmik Grigorian in a new Manon Lescaut in Frankfurt.
By La Cieca
Puccini’s perennial tearjerker returns to the Met repertoire tonight.
By La Cieca
