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.


Wave the flag Wave the flag

A very political month indeed focused sharply on the Met’s revival of Turandot.

on June 01, 2022 at 8:30 AM
The Rake’s Progress The Rake’s Progress

Maestro Susanna Mälkki (not pictured) leads Stravinsky’s ingenious neoclassical satire.

on May 30, 2022 at 5:48 PM
Experience has made me rich Experience has made me rich

Happy 51st birthday to Broadway and soundtrack diva Idina Menzel.

on May 30, 2022 at 4:05 AM
Akhnaten Akhnaten

Karen Kamensek conducts Anthony Roth Costanzo (Akhnaten), Rihab Chaieb (Nefertiti), Zachary James (Amenhotep III), Disella Lárusdóttir (Queen Tye), Aaron Blake (High Priest of Amon), Richard Bernstein (Aye), Will Liverman (Horemhab)

on May 28, 2022 at 12:20 PM
La bohème La bohème

Eleonora Buratto, fresh off a successful run in the title role of Madama Butterfly, stars as the ill-fated seamstress Mimì, opposite Matthew Polenzani as her lover, the poet Rodolfo.

on May 24, 2022 at 6:35 PM
Lucia di Lammermoor Lucia di Lammermoor

Riccardo Frizza conducts Nadine Sierra (Lucia), Javier Camarena (Edgardo), Artur Rucinski (Enrico) and  Christian Van Horn (Raimondo.)

on May 21, 2022 at 10:00 AM
Akhnaten Akhnaten

A return of the Philip Glass classic, live from the Met.

on May 19, 2022 at 5:30 PM
The two faces of Karita The two faces of Karita

An evening with Finland’s most famous opera star.

on May 18, 2022 at 10:00 AM
Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg

Performance from November 4, 2021

on May 14, 2022 at 12:00 PM
Hamlet Hamlet

Brett Dean‘s operatic treatment of the Bard makes its Metropolitan Opera premiere.

on May 13, 2022 at 5:13 PM
Teresa Berganza 1933 – 2022 Teresa Berganza 1933 – 2022

The beloved concert and opera singer died earlier today.

on May 13, 2022 at 3:54 PM
Bohemian rhapsody Bohemian rhapsody

Tenor Yusif Eyvazov, who was scheduled to sing Rodolfo in the upcoming four performances of Puccini’s La bohème, is ill and has withdrawn.

on May 11, 2022 at 3:44 PM
Turandot Turandot

Marco Armiliato conducts Liudmyla Monastyrska (Turandot), Yonghoon Lee (Calàf), Ermonela Jaho (Liù) and Ferruccio Furlanetto (Timur).

on May 07, 2022 at 12:13 PM
Send me an Angel Send me an Angel

Soprano Angel Blue has been named the winner of the 2022 Richard Tucker Award.

on May 06, 2022 at 12:15 PM
Un ballo in maschera Un ballo in maschera

Live from La Scala, Nicola Luisotti conducts Francesco Meli, Luca Salsi and Sondra Radvanovsky.

on May 04, 2022 at 10:51 AM
Laffont Grand Finals Concert Laffont Grand Finals Concert

Nadine SIerra hosts.

on May 01, 2022 at 1:20 PM
Fresh blood Fresh blood

A controversial new Lucia at the Met fascinated the cher public last month.

on May 01, 2022 at 8:51 AM
Madama Butterfly Madama Butterfly

Soprano Eleonora Buratto stars.

on April 30, 2022 at 12:57 PM
Tristan und Isolde Tristan und Isolde

Just starting from the vienna State Opera.

on April 27, 2022 at 11:11 AM
Lucia di Lammermoor Lucia di Lammermoor

Riccardo Frizza conducts Nadine Sierra, Javier Camarena and Artur Rucinski.

on April 26, 2022 at 5:00 PM
Lucia di Lammermoor Lucia di Lammermoor

Evelino Pidò leads Lisette Oropesa, Benjamin Bernheim and George Petean in this live broadcast from the Vienna State Opera.

on April 24, 2022 at 10:00 AM
The Gershwins’ ‘Porgy and Bess’ The Gershwins’ ‘Porgy and Bess’

Angel Blue and Eric Owens are featured in this repeat broadcast.

on April 23, 2022 at 12:00 PM
Madama Butterfly Madama Butterfly

Eleonora Buratto and Brian Jagde star.

on April 22, 2022 at 3:22 PM
Die Walküre, Act 1 Die Walküre, Act 1

Elisabeth Teige and Brandon Jovanovich are the cursed twins in this production from the Deutsche Oper Berlin, directed by Stefan Herheim.

on April 21, 2022 at 1:00 PM
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