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.
The summer of festivals continues, as parterre box salutes our sponsors Bard Summerscape Opera and Teatro Nuovo.
The 2018 Bayreuth Festival continues with Die Walküre, with a live broadcast starting at 10:00 AM EDT.
The 2018 Bayreuth Festival continues with Der Fliegende Holländer.
On this day in 1932 Walt Disney‘s Flowers and Trees premiered.
For those of you who need a bit of a break from Bayreuth, may La Cieca suggest a telecast of Strauss’s Salome?
The 2018 Bayreuth Festival continues with Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg , with a live broadcast starting at 10:00 AM EDT.
The 2018 Bayreuth Festival continues with Tristan und Isolde, with a live broadcast starting at 10:00 AM EDT.
La Cieca wishes to be among the first to congratulate Jessye Norman, who has emerged from semi-retirement to leap upon the musical theater bandwagon.
The 2018 Bayreuth Festival continues with Parisfal, with a live broadcast starting at 10:00 AM EDT.
The 2018 Bayreuth Festival opens today with Lohengrin, directed by Yuval Sharon, with a live broadcast starting at 10:00 AM EDT.
Dapper countertenor Ray Chenez is temporarily putting aside the turbans of his operatic career for, well, the turbans of a Broadway diva as he appeals via Indiegogo for funding to record a CD of show tunes.
We have just heard the sad news that author and longtime Opera News editor Brian Kellow died earlier today. He was 59.
Magnanimous Michael Fabiano graces today’s parterre saturday afternoon webcast in a two-part interview during the intermissions of Gounod’s Faust.
“Labels play a hugely important role in our listening lives.”
Our Own JJ presents a very special parterre saturday afternoon: Gounod’s Faust, plus an exclusive two-part video interview with tenor Michael Fabiano.
“I think that if it’s not [Bernstein’s] worst, it surely reflects his worst tendencies…”
Legendary maestro Riccardo Muti has announced his appointment as honorary president of Against Modern Opera Productions.
New York City Opera has announced a search for “a transgender singer with a treble voice” to create the role of a transgender character in the opera Stonewall.
Perhaps someone should remind Kristine Opolais that Mimì in La bohème works in the garment industry.
Legendary diva and long-time friend of parterre box Aprile Millo offers a gracious and witty speech in acceptance of the Verdi d’Oro Prize in Busseto.
This afternoon’s program (beginning at 2:00 PM sharp) offers the ebullient diva at her peak in 1969-1972, in music by Mozart, R. Strauss and Meyerbeer.
This exciting trailer for The Consul makes your doyenne feel downright blue she’s not making the trek to Opera Saratoga this summer.
The well-reviewed revival of Don Giovanni from the Royal Opera House will be livecast at 2:00 PM EDT.
While America’s Diva is off singing gala concerts from Mobile to East Lansing, who will take over the role of Nettie Fowler?
Tell us: What’s your favorite Verdi performance?
Hasten thee to feed another quarter of conversation for The Talk of the Town!
