NYCO 1943-2019
It is with a heavy heart that La Cieca predicts the demise of New York City Opera.
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.
The toast of parterre box
The astonishing performance of Aleksandra Kurzak, whose Violetta was an incontrovertible triumph, fascinated parterre box readers in the month of January.
Porgy and Bess
One last trip to Catfish Row (for now) this afternoon.
The case of the vanishing Vanderdecken
Bryn Terfel has just canceled his appearance in the Met’s new production of Der Fliegende Holländer.
La Damnation de Faust
Join the parterriani for what promises to be a legendary performance of Berlioz’s “légende dramatique.”
Legendary
A scene from Les Contes d’Hoffmann with Michael Fabiano, which may or may not be seen soon at L’Opéra national de Paris.
The Great British Faking Show
The Royal Opera House demonstrates it is “proud to have the values of inclusivity, internationalism and openness at its heart” …
Days of future past
What’s the biggest parterre box story of December 2019? Why, a look into the “Soaring 20s” at the Met!
New Year’s Eve Puccini Gala
Cher public, let’s ring in the New Year in the most “Metropolitan Opera” way possible: lots of Puccini and extremely long intermissions!
The biggest scoops of the decade
Get ready for a barrel of charm, a fabulous thrill as La Cieca (not pictured) proudly presents the the biggest little headlines on parterre box for the decade 2010-2019.
The Snow Queen
From the Bayerische Staatsoper, a telecast of Hans Abrahamsen‘s The Snow Queen featuring Barbara Hannigan.
Wozzeck
Tonight’s listening experience: the premiere of a new Met production of Wozzeck.
Teen titans
Of the hundreds of opera performances Our Own JJ (not pictured) attended in the 2010s he narrows it down to the ten most glittering highlights.
Macbeth
A blast from the (recent) past on this afternoon’s Met broadcast.
Roaring 20s
The entire Metropolitan Opera schedule for 2020-2021, in what looks like a fairly plausible form, has been leaked.
Der Rosenkavalier
The Strauss-Hofmannsthal sex comedy returns to the Met tonight at 7:00.
Sitting Pretti
The Metropolitan Opera today announces two cast changes for its forthcoming production of Verdi’s La Traviata, opening January 10, 2020.
I’ll take the fall
The days are getting shorter, but you can keep the prattle going this fall’s Talk of the Town! You will, you can, you must join in the discussion about: Great mezzo soprano performances (October),
Gained in translation (November), Teleport me back to… (December).