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.
Unforgettable Karita Mattila sings under the baton of the late Czech maestro Jirí Belohlávek in this production from San Francisco Opera.
By La Cieca
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Starring Mirella Freni, Barbara Bonney, Marilyn Horne, Bruno Pola and Paul Plishka, conducted by James Levine. From October 10, 1992.
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Born on this day in 1921 tenor Giuseppe di Stefano.
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Starring Anna Netrebko, Roberto Alagna, Nathan Gunn and Robert Lloyd, conducted by Plácido Domingo. From December 15, 2007.
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The acclaimed singer and actress is joined by musical director Andy Einhorn for a varied selection of songs, as well as a conversation with CBS Sunday Morning correspondent Mo Rocca about the role of artistic expression in times of social change.
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Christie’s is auctioning nearly 300 scores once owned by Maria Callas…
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Starring Maria Guleghina, Dimitri Pittas, Zeljko Lucic and John Relyea, conducted by James Levine. From January 12, 2008.
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“The worst public in the opera are these obsessed gays. . . . All these rich guys with nothing to do in their life, just following Anna Netrebko or Jonas Kaufmann on all continents. This is not a real audience for me.”
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Born on this day in 1909 soprano Licia Albanese.
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Starring Éva Marton, Tatiana Troyanos, Richard Cassilly Bernd Weikl and John Macurdy. Conducted by James Levine. From December 20, 1982.
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Part three of the Ring from Stuttgart kicks off a Wagner double header today.
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As revealed in a complete recording which appeared this morning, Anna Netrebko was in fine form in Naples at the anteprima of Tosca at the Piazza del Plebiscito.
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Lawrence Brownlee as Count Almamiva, Christopher Maltman as Figaro and Isabel Leonard as Rosina.
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The most-performed production in Met history, as seen in its debut season, starring Teresa Stratas, José Carreras, Renata Scotto and James Morris.
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Broadcast of a 2014 production by Des Moines Metro Opera.
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Starring Amanda Majeski, Marlis Petersen, Isabel Leonard, Peter Mattei and Ildar Abdrazakov, conducted by James Levine. From October 18, 2014.
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“Superstar tenor Jonas Kaufmann sings 12 of the most popular, show-stopping arias in the operatic repertoire, live from the ornate Polling Abbey located in the rolling Bavarian countryside outside Munich, Germany.”
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Born on this day in 1821 mezzo-soprano and composer Pauline Viardot-Garcia.
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Starring Elina Garanca and Lawrence Brownlee, conducted by Maurizio Benini. From May 9, 2009.
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“Disillusioned with life, the aged philosopher Faust calls upon Satan to help him.” Production by David McVicar.
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Born on this day in 1914 soprano Eleanor Steber.
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This William Kentridge production stars Elza van den Heever, Gerhard Siegel, Peter Mattei and Christian van Horn, conducted by Yannick Nézet-Séguin. From January 11, 2020.
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Roberto Frontali (Rigoletto), Ayón Rivas (Duca di Mantova), Rosa Feola (Gilda), Riccardo Zanellato (Sparafucile); Sul podio Daniele Gatti, regia di Damiano Michieletto.
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Born on this day in 1911 singer, dancer and actress Ginger Rogers.
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