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.
I’m so happy I can’t stop crying
On this day in 1982 Eva Marton made her Met role debut as La Gioconda opposite Plácido Domingo, Bruna Baglioni and Cornell MacNeil.
Grigolo, a groper?
Vittorio Grigolo has been suspended from the Royal Opera House’s touring production of Faust in Japan.
Porgy and Bess
The first livestream of the 2019-2020 Metropolitan Opera Season begins at 5:30 for the cher public’s delight!
Madama Butterfly
From the Opéra Royal de Wallonie-Liège. The stream goes live at 2:30 PM.
“Among others”
“Here’s just one more catastrophic crisis — and it seems that at the Met, sufficiently powerful, popular men are beyond reproach.”
Someday my prince will come
Yusif Eyvazov will sing Calàf in the October 3, 6, 9, and 12 Met performances of Puccini’s Turandot.
Tragic mike
The Metropolitan Opera Guild has come such a long way since the days of dear Mrs. August Belmont!
Better get there soon
Born on this day in 1933 actress Dorothy Loudon.
Things go better with woke
“This influx comes during a time in which opera companies around the country… are struggling to compete with the addictive quick-pleasure center that is the smart phone.”
“I am grateful that my horizons were not narrowed at the outset”
Happy 74th birthday soprano Jessye Norman.
Broadcast: Last Night at the Proms
Jamie Barton graces the Last Night at the Proms starting at 2:00 PM EDT.
Anticipation
Fire up your calendars, cher public! The quintet of parterre box scribes who will be reviewing New York area performance are ready to share with you their choices for Must See Opera in the fall of 2019!
Where’er you woke
Our Own Jamie Barton graces the Last Night of the Proms with her “queer fat femme energy.”
Funny fascist
Leave it to Opera News to whitewash the revolting reactionary politics of Franco Zeffirelli.
Wolf whistle
Sam Neuman shares tips and tricks for behaving like a cultured person at the opera.
My name is Barbuta
Queen of the Photo Shoot Cecilia Bartoli has done it again.
Cold dead hands
The press department at the English National Opera is considering a revamp of the company’s press seating policy.
Broadcast: Das Rheingold
Esa-Pekka Salonen conducts this live performance from the Finnish National Opera.
Folle amore! Folle ebbrezza!
Happy 54th birthday soprano Angela Gheorghiu.
Romeo and politics
La Cieca is informed that the opening night of San Francisco Opera’s Roméo et Juliette was delayed by an “Impeach Trump” demonstration, with hundreds of flyers dropped into the auditorium.
Full house
“Yusif Eyvazov will sing Hermann in the performances of Tchaikovsky’s The Queen of Spades on December 8, 14, and 21, replacing Aleksandrs Antonenko.”
Unsex me here
An “Anti-Harassment Workshop” was scheduled at the Met today in the same room where Plácido Domingo was rehearsing for this season’s revival of Macbeth.
Voi sapete quel che fa
If any more women come forth with sexual harassment accusations against Plácido Domingo, the Associated Press is going to have to hire Leporello to keep track.
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).