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.
Sonya Yoncheva, Michael Fabiano and Thomas Hampson star in this performance transmitted live on March 11, 2017.
Semyon Bychkov leads Ferruccio Furlanetto, Christopher Ventris, Herbert Lippert, Andrzej Dobber, Ain Anger and Elena Maximova in this 2014 performance from the Vienna State Opera.
Born on this day in 1949 actress Meryl Streep.
Conducted by Dante Anzolini; starring Rachelle Durkin, Richard Croft, Kim Josephson and Alfred Walker. Transmitted live on November 19, 2011.
Born on this day in 1922 actress and singer Jane Russell.
Anthony Roth Costanzo contracts a severe case of monotheism in this Philip Glass opera transmitted live on November 23, 2019.
Alain Altinoglu and Dmitri Tcherniakov team for this production filmed in 2016 at the Opernhaus Zurich.
Carnegie Hall presents this celebration, recognizing the importance of this historic day and acknowledging the long road still ahead.
Jonas Kaufmann stars in this production from the Salzburg Festival in March 2015.
Leontyne Price, Giuseppe Giacomini, Leo Nucci and Bonaldo Giaiotti star in this performance conducted by James Levine, as transmitted live on March 24, 1984.
Tomás Netopil leads a cast including Angela Denoke, Misha Didyk and Jane Henschel in a performance recorded at the Vienna State Opera on April 27, 2017.
Conducted by Patrick Summers; starring Susan Graham, Plácido Domingo, and Paul Groves. Transmitted live on February 26, 2011.
A repeat viewing of this version of Schoenberg’s concert work, as staged by Pierre Audi for the Dutch National Opera.
Conducted by Maurizio Benini; starring Angela Meade, Elizabeth DeShong, Javier Camarena, Ildar Abdrazako and Ryan Speedo Green. Transmitted live on March 10, 2018.
San Francisco Opera and Lyric Opera of Chicago have announced the cancellation of their respective 2020 fall seasons.
Jesús López Cobos leads Piotr Beczala, Dmitri Hvorostovsky and Krassimira Stoyanova in this performance from the Vienna State Opera on April 26, 2016.
Conducted by Riccardo Frizza; starring Renée Fleming, Lawrence Brownlee, John Osborn, Barry Banks and Kobie van Rensburg. Transmitted live on May 1, 2010.
A documentary on how Stuttgart Opera’s Parsifal was produced in 2009/10.
Conducted by Harry Bicket; starring Renée Fleming, Stephanie Blythe, Andreas Scholl, Iestyn Davies, Joseph Kaiser and Shenyang. Transmitted live on December 3, 2011.
On this day in 1972 the Metropolitan Opera presented an all-star Rigoletto with Sherrill Milnes, Joan Sutherland and Luciano Pavarotti.
Performance of Prokofiev’s Igrok on October 7, 2017 at the Vienna State Opera.
From San Francisco Opera, filmed live in HD at the War Memorial Opera House in 2009.
Barrie Kosky and Vladimir Jurowski collaborate on this splendid production of Schoenberg’s unfinished masterpiece.
Nina Stemme and Jonas Kaufmann star in this performance conducted by Franz Welser-Möst, as telecast October 5, 2013.
Tell us: What’s your favorite Verdi performance?
Hasten thee to feed another quarter of conversation for The Talk of the Town!
