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.
Please be advised: article contains no brickbats.
Join le tout Allemonde for this afternoon’s broadcast of Debussy’s apotheosis of evanescence.
The Met is offering federal employees affected by the ongoing government shutdown free tickets.
Now, you would think nothing could please gaycentric La Cieca more than yesterday’s New York Times profile of the Met’s new music director…
“Remember where you are. This is Adriana Lecouvreur. Death is listening, and will take the first diva that screams.”
La Cieca invites the cher public to visit Allemonde tonight at 7:30.
Last week, our indefatigable podcaster Christopher Corwin (not pictured) achieved the milestone of the 200th episode of Trove Thursday.
Astounding Anita Rachvelishvili gets mixed up with Saxe and violets
Which superstar performer, despite recent success in this hemisphere, has thus far hesitated to sign a contract for more performances next season?
“Couple of hours ago at home, I was preparing for the show, when suddenly I collapsed.”
It’s the final Otello broadcast of the Met season.
“Jorge de León will sing Radamès in the February 28, March 4, and March 7 performances of Verdi’s Aida, replacing Aleksandrs Antonenko.
“I am an artist first, but also Catholic and homosexual.”
Live from the Bayerische Staatsoper: The Bartered Bride.
This rainy afternoon’s Met broadcast: Otello.
At the New York Philharmonic’s New Year’s Eve gala? Really?
Joining the talking and singing heads of Aria Code is Our Own JJ, deconstructing “Mon coeur s’ouvre a ta voix.”
Widely-publicized parterre box garnered 3,623,050 pageviews for the more than 1,200 articles published during 2018.
We reach the final day of “The Advent of Anna” in anticipation of her first Met Adriana Lecouvreur, to be broadcast tonight at 5:55 PM.
As 2018 draws to a close, let’s hear Anna Netrebko in a showpiece she has sung throughout her career, Marfa’s Aria from The Tsar’s Bride.
The Met’s mini-Flute is broadcast at 1:00 PM.
The year is 2017. To Violetta, a role she sang first in 1994, Anna bids farewell.
Ambrogio Maestri IS Queen Anne in The Favourite!
In 2016, Anna Netrebko takes on her second Wagner role, Elsa in Lohengrin.
Tell us: What’s your favorite Verdi performance?
Hasten thee to feed another quarter of conversation for The Talk of the Town!
