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.
On this day in 1979 the Metropolitan Opera presented a revival of Elektra that failed to live up to former glories.
96 comments
Sponsored
Reach your audience through parterre box!
parterre box, “the most essential blog in opera” (New York Times), is now booking display and sponsored content advertising for the 2023-2024 season. Join Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Warner Classics and many others in reaching your target audience through parterre box.
From Detroit Opera, divas Angel Blue and Christine Goerke make role debuts, respectively as Aida and Amneris.
On this day in 1969, the Metropolitan Opera opened its season, delayed more than three months due to prolonged labor-management negotiations.
Coming soon: an opera adaptation of the cult film Plan 9 from Outer Space.
Michelle Bradley takes the title role in this live performance from the Met.
Mezzo Anita Rachvelishvili has canceled all her remaining Met performances of Aida due to illness.
Luca Salsi, Lisette Oropesa and Stephen Costello star in this live broadcast.
If you already know the answer to this one, keep it under your hat!
A live performance from the Vienna State Opera featuring Michael Volle, Georg Zeppenfeld, Wolfgang Koch, David Butt Philip and Hanna-Elisabeth Müller, conducted by Philippe Jordan.
Soprano Latonia Moore stars as the Ethiopian princess torn between love and country in Verdi’s grand Egyptian epic.
Of course the Met premiere of The Hours grabbed most of the attention last month!
Rossini’s comic opera, recorded November 16 at the Theater an der Wien.
The world premiere of Kevin Puts‘ new opera opens at the Met tonight.
A recording of a live performance of Wagner’s music drama from Seattle Opera.
On this day in 1949 the Metropolitan Opera opened their season with a televised(!) performance of Der Rosenkavalier.
Two artists make notable Met debuts: Benjamin Bernheim as the Duke of Mantua, and Maestro Speranza Scappucci on the podium.
Tomasz Konieczny plays the title character, a goldsmith who is possessed by his jewelry, in a live videocast of Paul Hindemith’s opera.
Catherine Foster is Brünnhilde in a performance conducted by Marek Janowski.
On this day in 1952, the Metropolitan Opera opened its season with a new production of La forza del destino.
Latonia Moore, Melody Moore, Russell Thomas and George Gagnidze lead the cast in this performance from Los Angeles Opera.
Sponsored
Call for submissions: parterre box‘s new Talk of the Town
parterre box is launching a new themed regular feature curated by our readers and opera fans across the world! We are asking for your favorite clips, recordings, and anecdotes to get people chatting, listening, and thinking.
parterre in your box?
Get our free weekly newsletter delivered to your email.
Exclusive opera reviews, commentary, top reads from us and our friends.
Delivered to your email weekly…ish.