Carmen
Live from the Vienna State Opera starring Elina Garanca and Piotr Beczala.
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.
Die Walküre
Live video from the Finnish National Opera and Ballet.
Norma
Karine Deshayes, Michael Spyres and Amina Edris are featured in Bellini’s opera at the Festival d’Aix 2022.
Something to talk about
The cher public (not pictured) made the sizzling month August a time of listening and discussion.
Hamlet
John Osborn is featured in the rarely-heard tenor version of Ambroise Thomas’ grand opera.
Tristan und Isolde
From Santa Fe Opera, featuring Simon O’Neill and Tamara Wilson.
Turandot
Gustavo Dudamel conducts this performance from the Bastille Opera.
Il trittico
Asmik Grigorian sings all three leading roles in this broadcast from the Salzburg Festival.
Götterdämmerung
FInal day of the opening Ring of the 2022 Bayreuth season.
Die Walküre
The second say of Der Ring des Nibelungen, live from the Bayreuth Festival.
Creative differences
Beverly Sills and Renée Fleming (not pictured) rightly crown the list of most-read parterre box articles for August 2022.
Das Rheingold
A live broadcast as the Bayreuth Festival launches a new Ring cycle.
Moïse et Pharaon
Recorded July 14 at the Aix-en-Provence Festival.
Les girls
The celebrated episode of The Carol Burnett Show featuring divas Eileen Farrell and Marilyn Horne will be broadcast tonight.
Tristan und Isolde
Opening performance of the 2022 Bayreuth Festival, broadcast live.
The Wreckers
Glyndebourne’s eagerly awaited new production comes to the Proms in a full-length semi-staged performance, complete with the raw elemental power of Ethel Smyth’s sweeping score.
Idomeneo
Performance of July 11 at the Festival d’Aix-en-Provence.
Turandot
“In a dystopian game show, reminiscent of Hunger Games, the Princess presides over a surveillance state in which men are culled and the reproduction of the human race is conducted in breeding labs.”
Siberia
A live broadcast of Umberto Giordano’s opera from the Bregenz Festival.
Le Songe d’un nuit d’été
The very free adaptation of A Midsummer Night’s Dream set by Ambroise Thomas, as heard at Wexford in 2021.
Nabucco
Conductor: Nicola Luisotti; Stage director: Andreas Homoki; Chorus and Orchestra of the Teatro Real, Madrid.
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).
Win a Free Ticket to Opening Night at the Met!
Quinn Kelsey and Lise Davidsen star in the Met's new Macbeth. We're giving away one ticket, so screw your courage to the sticking place and enter now!
