Broadcast: Le nozze di Figaro
Live from the Bayerische Staatsoper.
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.
Peter Gelb admits defeat
” Mr. Gelb chuckled and said, ‘I’m not going to find out’.”
Broadcast: Les Contes d’Hoffmann
More Grigolerie this evening starting at 7:25.
Fat chance
It’s Choose Your Own Sir John Day at parterre, cher public.
Cervelli! Cervelli!
Our dear sister publication BBC Music Magazine has crafted the ideal experience for conservative opera buffs.
Magic bullet
For all you Carl Maria von Weber fans out there, here’s Günther Groissböck.
“Art is domination”
Emma Thompson is winning rave reviews for her performance as Maria Callas in Terrence McNally‘s Master Class.
Annalepsis
James Levine has quietly been slotted into the spring reprise of the Met’s new Tosca.
Broadcast: Turandot
Bass James Morris marks his 1,000th Met performance in tonight’s broadcast of Turandot.
Phone rings, door chimes, in comes Sängerkrieg!
“Heinrich, come on over for dinner! / We’ll be so glad to see you!”
Evil stage directors reduce humble servant of art to whimpering victim
“Non faccio più opere: ho pochi anni da vivere non posso passare tempo a discutere con un idiota che offende la nostra cultura.”
Broadcast: Pelléas et Mélisande
Pulthunk Jordan de Souza leads a new production of Debussy’s opera directed by Barrie Kosky, a video from the Komische Oper Berlin, starting at noon EDT.
Broadcast: Oberon
To hear and to discuss: Weber’s Oberon starring Jonas Kaufmann, this afternoon at 1:00 PM.
“Never get caught acting”
Born on this day in 1893 actress Lillian Gish.
Truth is stranger than Anna
Anna Netrebko‘s fashion innovations for her Asian tour did not include a “Truth or Dare” inspired coiffure à la Madonna.
Happy coming out day!
La Cieca and the gang down at parterre box wish Michael Fabiano and everyone else in the world a joyous 29th anniversary of National Coming Out Day!
Dmitri Hvorostovsky is alive, his wife assures us
Florence Hvorostovsky has just posted to her Facebook page that the Russian news site reporting her husband’s death is mistaken.
Broadcast: Die Zauberflöte
I think affairs that you must keep Masonic are better bets if little pets get big broadcasts.
No fits, no fights, no feuds and no egos
The list of Anna Netrebko/Yannick Nézet-Séguin collaborations has expanded once again.
Broadcast: La bohème
This broadcast from the Royal Opera House features Michael Fabiano and Nicole Car among the bohemians.
Anna on the Hill
According to a scan posted on Anna Netrebko‘s Instagram, the diva has received a contract from the Bayreuth Festival.
Voci di guerra
September 2017 was a time everyone wanted to read about Druids in parterre box. Our most popular posts for the month.
Broadcast: La bohème
The debut of soprano Angel Blue is but one highlight of tonight’s live broadcast from the Met.