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.
Baritones: is there anything they don’t know?
The final weeknight livestream of the Met season.
With Sonya Yoncheva canceling the Philadelphia Orchestra’s performances of Tosca, who do you, the cher public, think will take her place?
Let’s hear it for our parterre advertisers!
Surely no one can be surprised that the focus of attention among the cher pubic in April was Anna Netrebko‘s first Tosca.
Our Own JJ catches up with the tail end of the Met season.
La Cieca begins to think that this whole “zombie” fad has gone too far.
This afternoon’s broadcast, for your discussion and delight.
One thing Norman Lebrecht does better than anyone in the business: whipping up a racist frenzy.
Tonight at 7:55 PM, perhaps the most eagerly awaited broadcast of the season: Anna Netrebko, Yusif Eyvazov and the rest in Tosca from the Met.
he mezzo-soprano died on April 21. She was 79.
Soprano Nadine Sierra has been named the winner of the 13th annual Beverly Sills Artist Award for young singers at the Metropolitan Opera.
Can anyone tell me what’s wrong with this picture?
Anna Netrebko and Jonas Kaufmann will sing (with each other!) Puccini’s Turandot at the 2021 Salzburg Festival.
Najmiddin Mavlyanov will sing the role of Cavaradossi in the May 8 and 12 performances of Puccini’s Tosca.
The Met’s lovers are so star-crossed we don’t even have photos of them yet.
Andrea Shin will sing the role of Roméo in tonight’s performance of Gounod’s Roméo et Juliette, replacing Charles Castronovo, who is ill.
Harken yet once again to the comeuppance of aristos wailing laments only sheep can hear!
In a steampunk moment, 21st century singers try on 19th century technology.
A webcast of I puritani from Teatro Massimo in Palermo.
Perennial diva Liza Minnelli greets legendary Disney characters including Sheriff Woody Pride, Elsa and Snow White.
Charles Castronovo will sing the role of Roméo in all performances of the Metropolitan Opera’s forthcoming production of Gounod’s Roméo et Juliette.
New York has neon, Berlin has bars, but, ah! Parigi!
La Cieca, fashion arbiter though she may be, cannot figure out what is going on with this day-to-evening (and then some) look Sonya Yoncheva is flaunting.
Tell us: What’s your favorite Verdi performance?
Hasten thee to feed another quarter of conversation for The Talk of the Town!
