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.
On what would have been the last night of the 2019–20 Met season, Susan Froemke’s acclaimed 2017 documentary.
As performed by the Finnish National Opera on 11 March 2019.
Renata Scotto and Luciano Pavarotti star in this pioneering video from March 15, 1977.
Is there ever enough Renée Fleming?
Renée Fleming rocks a chin-length bob as Countess Madeleine in Richard Strauss’s final opera.
“Director Krzysztof Warlikowski and conductor Alain Altinoglu take on the challenge of revealing the essence of a work in which time and space are merely the remnants of a crumbled mosaic.”
Kaija Saariaho’s modern masterpiece, as transmitted live on December 10, 2016.
Krzysztof Warlikowski directs Christopher Maltman and Eva-Maria Westbroek in this production from Dutch National Opera in 2017.
Simon Keenlyside, Marlis Petersen, Jennifer Larmore and James Morris star in this Live in HD video from March 27, 2010.
Susan Bullock, Toby Spence and Kate Royal star in Benjamin Britten‘s 1953 opera.
The cream of the Met’s 1990s roster join forces for a controversial* staging of Mozart’s comedy.
Video from the January 6, 2019 performance at the Bayerische Staatsoper.
The discussion of the Metropolitan Opera’s “At-Home Gala” set a new record for parterre box articles, with 11,590 pageviews and 1,877 comments!
The stalwart Met mezzo-soprano died earlier today.
Oksana Dyka, Anita Rachvelishvili and Ildar Abdrazakov star in this Live in HD video from March 1, 2014.
Staatsoper Stuttgart continues it s#OpertrotzCorona series.
Sonya Yoncheva stars in the title role of Verdi’s stirring drama, opposite Piotr Beczala as her lover, Rodolfo.
“The efforts long ago of the king of Pontus to resist Roman domination of the Mediterranean remind us of recent attempts by some European leaders to change the rules of the Union.”
The legendary opera farewell of Miss Leontyne Price, as transmitted live on January 3, 1985.
Alexander Pereira presents Cecilia Bartoli, Vittorio Grigolo, Mikhail Petrenko, Diana Damrau, Ludovic Tézier, Francesco Meli, Lisette Oropesa, Luca Salsi, Thomas Hampson, Krassimira Stoyanova, Michele Pertusi, Eva Mei, Leo Nucci, Sonya Yoncheva, Fabio Sartori, Anna Pirozzi and Saioa Hernández performing live from their respective living rooms.
Isabel Leonard stars as Nico Muhly‘s enigmatic heroine.
With Anna Caterina Antonacci (Cassandre), Brandon Jovanovich (Enée) and Joyce DiDonato (Didon).
Sondra Radvanovsky stars as Queen Elizabeth I, with Matthew Polenzani in the title role, Elina Garanca and Mariusz Kwiecien.
From the Rome Opera in 2012 conducted by Riccardo Muti.
Tell us: What’s your favorite Verdi performance?
Hasten thee to feed another quarter of conversation for The Talk of the Town!
