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.
This season, the Metropolitan Opera offers the opportunity for “loyal supporter[s} of the Met” to revel in home versions of Live in HD telecasts for “a tax-deductible contribution of $10,000, over and above one’s current annual Patron commitment.”
Pene Pati, originally scheduled to sing Romeo on October 1, will perform the role in all performances, replacing Bryan Hymel who has withdrawn for personal reasons.
“Ein Wort. Adjektiv. Vier Buchstaben. Aber kein Four-Letter-Word. Dick. So wie dicker Baum, dicker Hund.”
Says Jamie Barton: “It’s so important for me to stand up proudly as a bisexual woman.”
The Great Domingo Question loomed above all other topics in the sleepy month of August.
An integral performance recorded earlier this month at the Pesaro Festival.
It’s time for Plácido Domingo to man up and withdraw from the Met’s 2019-2020 season.
La Cieca is delighted to announce that friend of the box Jonathan Blalock has joined the Atlanta Opera as Individual Giving Officer.
Bass Zachary James models his brand-new tattoo of the winged sun featured in the Philip Glass Akhnaten scenic design by Tom Pye.
A multibillionaire right-winger—best remembered locally for plastering his name on the once-beloved New York State Theater at Lincoln Center—has died.
It is indeed tragic when an ignorant mass of plebes like the opera public openly scoff at the venerated Western Enlightenment standard of Trial by Headline.
Born on this day in 1923 actress and singer Alice Ghostley.
“Pitting the eminent conductor James Levine against the Metropolitan Opera, which fired him in 2018 amid accusations of sexual misconduct…”
Twitter.
Anna Netrebko has canceled her Bayreuth debut this summer.
The Glyndebourne Festival production of Mozart’s comic saga is telecast beginning at 12:30 PM New York time.
It’s the cher public’s choice of two Verdian opera this afternoon!
What better way to mark the passing of the monumental Hal Prince?
Your top ten posts on parterre box for the month of July are actually a Top 13, thanks to a (near) three-way tie.
The live performance from Bayreuth begins at 10:00 AM.
The theatrical producer and director, who was associated with many of the best-known Broadway musical productions of the 20th century, has died. He was 91.
The Met Live in 2018-2020 HD series (including Joyce DiDonato‘s role debut as Carlotta Campion) is now on sale.
Live from the Bayreuth Festival.
Live from the Bayerische Staatsoper, Handel’s opera of intrigue.
Tell us: What’s your favorite Verdi performance?
Hasten thee to feed another quarter of conversation for The Talk of the Town!
