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.
A live recording of the Barber/Menotti weepie from the 2016 Wexford Festival
Peter Gelb offering voluntary buyouts to a couple of dozen employees is precisely the same thing as Nazis murdering hundreds of people.
We have just heard the sad news that playwright and critic Albert Innaurato has died.
The performance and the obligatory parterre chat both begin at 6:30 PM EDT.
Remember the disastrous 2010 Traviata at the Met, “conducted” by Leonard Slatkin?
In a classic live performance from more then 50 years ago, Montserrat Caballé is Desdemona to the Otello of James McCracken.
In this Sunday’s New York Times, Our Own JJ (not pictured except in spirit) examines why Bellini’s Norma should be considered “the Everest of Opera.”
Happy 83rd birthday actress Sophia Loren.
An exciting performance and a legendary feud.
This year’s Richard Tucker Music Foundation’s annual gala concert at Carnegie Hall is marginally less starry than last year’s.
“Aleksandrs Antonenko will sing Calàf in Puccini’s Turandot from October 12 to November 16 replacing Marcelo Álvarez, who is ill.”
Gregory Spears‘ Paul’s Case is on the way to being commercially recorded.
So La Cieca has been hearing complaints lately that she is not linking to videos of Russian guys singing excerpts from La traviata while eating Tater Tots.
Dame Rosalind Plowright complains that unlike most other voiceless 68 year old singers, she has trouble finding work.
More of the “breakthrough” performance of Montserrat Caballé on April 20, 1965.
Without the graffiti, San Francisco Opera’s Aïda is notable for Leah Crocetto in the title role.
La Cieca is actively searching now for a weekly audio or video feature to permanently replace the defunct “Montag Mit Marianne.”
La Cieca literally cannot even.
Donizetti’s Lucrezia Borgia featuring Krassimira Stoyanova, Ildar Abdrazakov and Juan Diego Flórez.
Which opera house’s notoriously conservative backers would be shocked to hear the company is currently holding auditions for performers to perform simulated acts of bestiality?
Today, the New York Times offers the strongest suggestion yet that Cecilia Bartoli will bring her Norma to New York sooner rather than later.
This afternoon the Royal Opera House offers a first glimpse of Richard Jones‘ new production of La bohème, the first at that theater since about 1735 or so.
Congratulations to Michael Fabiano and Bryan L. McCalister, who have just announced their engagement.
Meet Andreas Rosar, assistant director and hero/heroine of the 2017 Bayreuth Festival.
Tell us: What’s your favorite Verdi performance?
Hasten thee to feed another quarter of conversation for The Talk of the Town!
