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.
“While Renée Fleming performed without an audience, DG Stage offered Puccini’s beloved melodrama Tosca before an outdoor crowd in Naples.”
Or, frankly, TBA. If you of the cher public can come up with something more interesting than this dreary Flute, La Cieca would be more than happy to go with that.
Starring Christine Goerke, Eva-Maria Westbroek, Jamie Barton, Stuart Skelton, Greer Grimsley and Günther Groissböck, conducted by Philippe Jordan. From March 30, 2019.
Starring Leona Mitchell, Luciano Pavarotti, Sherrill Milnes and Ruggero Raimondi, conducted by James Levine. From December 17, 1983.
The Undiva cuts loose at Dumbarton Oaks.
By this point in 2020, nothing should surprise us.
Born on this day in 1921 contralto Lili Chookasian.
Starring Kristine Opolais, Katarina Dalayman, Jamie Barton, Brandon Jovanovich and Eric Owens, conducted by Mark Elder. From February 25, 2017.
Starring Sondra Radvanovsky, Dolora Zajick, Marcelo Álvarez and Dmitri Hvorostovsky, conducted by Marco Armiliato. From April 30, 2011.
On this day in 1967 Judy Garland opened her final Broadway engagement, a concert entitled At Home at the Palace.
“The shimmery, creamy voice of the ‘undiva,’ as she is known, is ingrained in America’s cultural memory, at both sad and happy moments.”
Starring Ileana Cotrubas, Plácido Domingo and Cornell MacNeil, conducted by James Levine. From November 7, 1977.
The Teatro San Carlo di Napoli’s lavish outdoor concert series continues with Aida featuring Jonas Kaufmann and Anita Rachvelishvili.
Starring Karita Mattila, Marcelo Álvarez and George Gagnidze, conducted by Joseph Colaneri. From October 10, 2009.
Starring Natalie Dessay, Joseph Calleja, Ludovic Tézier and Kwangchul Youn, conducted by Patrick Summers. From March 19, 2011.
“I have almost forgotten what it felt like to sit in a velvet seat at the Met, surrounded by people coughing.”
Starring Eva-Maria Westbroek, Jonas Kaufmann and Zeljko Lucic, conducted by Marco Armiliato. From October 27, 2018.
Lauren Flanigan and Rayanne Dupuis star in this 2013 revival of Marvin David Levy‘s tragic opera.
Starring Renée Fleming, Christine Schäfer, Susan Graham and Kristinn Sigmundsson, conducted by Edo de Waart. From January 9, 2010.
As previewed earlier this week, Los Angeles Opera presents a Ring marathon this weekend.
Unforgettable Karita Mattila sings under the baton of the late Czech maestro Jirí Belohlávek in this production from San Francisco Opera.
Starring Mirella Freni, Barbara Bonney, Marilyn Horne, Bruno Pola and Paul Plishka, conducted by James Levine. From October 10, 1992.
Born on this day in 1921 tenor Giuseppe di Stefano.
Starring Anna Netrebko, Roberto Alagna, Nathan Gunn and Robert Lloyd, conducted by Plácido Domingo. From December 15, 2007.
Tell us: What’s your favorite Verdi performance?
Hasten thee to feed another quarter of conversation for The Talk of the Town!
