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.
La Cieca extends the heariest imaginable thanks to our parterre box advertisers for the month of November 2022!
By La Cieca
A welcome return by Christian Ocier reviewing Wagner in far-flung Seattle led the top ten most read posts for the month of October.
By La Cieca
Video streaming from the Staatsoper Berlin with Christian Thielemann conducting a new production by Dmitri Tcherniakov.
By La Cieca
Nadine Sierra makes her Metropolitan Opera role debut as Violetta.
By La Cieca
On Thursday, October 20th, 2022, Grace Bumbry suffered an acute ischemic stroke. The renowned American opera star is currently hospitalized and in recovery in Queens, New York.
By La Cieca
Jessica Pratt and John Osborn star in a performance from Rome Opera.
By La Cieca
Michael Spyres stars in the title role of the ancient Cretan king, alongside Kate Lindsey as Idamante, Ying Fang as Ilia, and Federica Lombardi as Elettra.
By La Cieca
The Metropolitan Opera and other classical music venue are dropping their mask requirements for audience members.
By La Cieca
Sonya Yoncheva and Roberto Alagna star in a new production of Giordano’s opera at La Scala.
By La Cieca
Svetlana Sozdateleva and Brandon Jovanovich star in Shostakovich’s opera.
By La Cieca
Handel’s oratorio features Julia Bullock, Joyce DiDonato, Jakub Józef Orlinski and Ed Lyon.
By La Cieca
Léo Delibes’ opera, streamed from the Opéra Comique in a production staged by Laurent Pelly and featuring Sabine Devieilhe.
By La Cieca
Yulia Matochkina will make her Met role debut as Eboli in Verdi’s Don Carlo, replacing Anita Rachvelishvili.
By La Cieca
The Puccini evergreen, featuring Aleksandra Kurzak, Michael Fabiano and Luca Salsi.
By La Cieca
Sondra Radvanovsky‘s mean, moody, magnificent Medea fascinated the cher public as the season kicked in at the end of September.
By La Cieca
On this day in 1968, the Metropolitan Opera debuted a new production of Tosca (the company’s first since 1917!) featuring Birgit Nilsson and Franco Corelli.
By La Cieca
Lise Davidsen and Le Gateau Chocolat reunite for this performance from the 2022 Bayreuth Festival.
By La Cieca
Diva of the moment Sondra Radvanovsky previews yet another great role: Puccini’s Turandot.
By La Cieca
Live broadcast of the Metropolitan Opera’s opening night, featuring Sondra Radvanovsky in the title role.
By La Cieca
On this day in 2017 the Metropolitan Opera opened its season with a new production of Norma starring Sondra Radvanovsky.
By La Cieca
From the 2022 Bayreuth Festival conducted by Christian Thielemann.
By La Cieca
Massenet’s opera at that Théâtre des Champs-Elysées in Paris starring Ermonela Jaho.
By La Cieca
