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.
Astonishing Angela Gheorghiu blows a kiss and takes a bow after her role debut as Rose in Gypsy.
Francesca da Rimini was performed at La Scala four times in 1950 and five times in 1959.
Since his death, Mackerras has had not very much interesting to say aside from “Avenge me!”
“Ma Joad is no doubt the most challenging role of my career thus far,” observed Fleming.
The love and intrigue begin at 12:30 PM.
Yusif Eyvazov will sing the role of Cavaradossi in the first four performances of the spring run of Puccini’s Tosca, replacing Marcelo Álvarez.
The unheard-of horror of a lack of unanimous approbation for a British composer’s work led to an appalling lack of civility on Twitter over the weekend.
The Richard Tucker Music Foundation announced today that Christian Van Horn has been named as the winner of the 2018 Richard Tucker Award.
Mesmerizing Michael Fabiano stars,
Act Two of Wagner’s music drama with the Boston Symphony.
Speaking of grand opera (and La Cieca is sure the cher public will!), today’s matinee broadcast begins at 12:30 PM.
Charles Busch‘s The Confession of Lily Dare bundles up a long weekend’s worth of TCM “pre-code fallen woman” tropes into a neatly hilarious 90 minute package.
Hei-Kyung Hong makes a rare Met appearance in Turandot tonight.
Yannick Nézet-Séguin‘s triumphant Elektra at the Met was the subject of parterre box’s most-read article in March 2018.
Years later, the wife—now a world-famous opera singer—
It’s practically heretical to let Holy Week go by without a session of Parsifal.
Hop on the Q train to Coney Island, cher public, by which I mean tune in your radio at 1:00 PM, to hear and to discuss!
Verdi’s Sturm und Drang opera returns to the Met tonight at 7:25.
The important thing is that she’s happy.
Andris Nelsons and Kristine Opolais announced today they have divorced.
Martina Serafin serves up the ice in this afternoon’s Met broadcast starting at 1:00 PM.
Coming up at 3:15 PM, Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducts Mahler’s Symphony No. 8.
Tonight’s broadcast of the Met’s season premiere of Lucia di Lammermoor stars Olga Peretyatko-Mariotti and Vittorio Grigolo.
Tell us: What’s your favorite Verdi performance?
Hasten thee to feed another quarter of conversation for The Talk of the Town!
