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.
You naysayers out there who are guffawing at Renée Fleming’s long-anticipated descent into utter camp: hey, be nice!
Separated at angst.
A vintage performance of Il trovatore from Paris in 1975 featuring (in alphabetical order) Renata Scotto and Shirley Verrett.
“An up-and-coming baritone singer alleges he was drugged and violently raped in 2010 by two of opera/classical music’s shining stars, David Daniels and Scott Walters.”
The actress and teacher died earlier today of lung cancer. She was 83.
All politics is vocal in Jan Lauwers’ Salzburg production of the Monteverdi masterpiece, which will be streamed at 12:30 PM on Monday.
“A quite impartial, not quite chronological guide through opera from Monteverdi to John Adams.”
For the return of parterre saturday afternoon at 2:00 PM, Our Own JJ salutes soprano Aprile Millo.
La Cieca is almost certain that Diana Damrau will not appear at the Met this fall for La traviata.
The Queen of Soul has died.
As our Trove Thursday creator Chris Corwin takes a well-deserved week off, La Cieca brings you one from the vaults.
Live from the Teatro Colon, a concert of Italian opera favorites performed by Anna Netrebko, Yusif Eyvazov and Jader Bignamini.
“And as I thought about it, I couldn’t help wondering: when did Alex Ross become Carrie Bradshaw?”
Live from the Glyndebourne Festival starting at 1:30 this afternoon: a telecast of that campest of all camp operas, Vanessa.
“Los in den Club, wir haben uns gerade getrennt. Ich zieh jetzt mein eigenes kleines Ding durch.”
Congratulations to baritone Jarrett Ott and artistic administrator Adam Franklin, wedded Saturday by none other than Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg.
Happy 70th birthday soprano Kathleen Battle.
“Fleming does not have the acting skills to convince as a hearty clam-shack proprietress…”
A chilling opera for a scorching afternoon: Rubinstein’s Demon starring Egils Silins as The Demon and Asmik Grigorian as Tamara.
Born on this day in 1891 actress and performer Helen Broderick.
Awe-inspiring Anna Netrebko unveils yet another new Verdi aria.
Renowned mezzo-soprano Dame Sarah Connolly may have been dropped from the Met’s Ring production, but today she has announced she has invented an entirely new role for herself in the work.
Michaela Schuster will sing Waltraute in all performances of Wagner’s Götterdämmerung, replacing Sarah Connolly.
All it takes to rocket to the top of the charts on parterre box these days is a chaise longue and a periwinkle dress.
Tell us: What’s your favorite Verdi performance?
Hasten thee to feed another quarter of conversation for The Talk of the Town!
