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.
In addition to her first Met Aida performances next season, forthcoming projects for the one and only Anna Netrebko just keep gushing out.
This afternoon at 1:00 PM, The Ghosts of Versailles from Los Angeles Opera: all this and Patti LuPone too!
Michael Fabiano and Sonya Yoncheva star in Great Performances at the Met’s telecast of La Traviata tonight at 9:00 PM.
A spokesman for Anna Netrebko informs parterre box that the diva is scheduled to sing Aïda at the Met during the 2018-2019 season.
La Cieca hears that the controversial but parterre-acclaimed Norma of Cecilia Bartoli will tour to the Brooklyn Academy of Music in (our informant says) “an upcoming season.”
A new Pelléas et Mélisande from the Vienna State Opera featuring Simon Keenlyside as Golaud.
La Cieca sadly notes that LoftOpera has postponed their production of Pagliaccci (scheduled to open September 15) until a later date to be announced.
Good news, Puccini fans!
Our Own JJ (not pictured) muses on the difficulty of staging Mozart’s greatest opera in his latest piece for the New York Times.
And after this CD (due in October) she’ll make another, and another!
“I was shocked and did not understand anything anymore. I was 13 at this time.”
The legendary performance of “Hey Big Spender” by Marilyn Horne, Carol Burnett and Eileen Farrell has shown up on YouTube.
Listening and discussion of the new Salzburg Festival Aïda, featuring Anna Netrebko in her role debut as the titular princess in captivity.
Shirley Verrett in 1973 or Anna Netrebko on Sunday?
‘Bess, you is my woman now,’ featuring both Ms. Opolais and Sir Bryn.
Long-time followers of Norman Lebrecht will not be surprised in the least to hear this.
Let’s listen, cher public, to Siegfried, live from the Bayreuth Festival, starting at 10:00 AM.
The Bayreuth Ring (and perhaps the parterre discussion?) continues at 10:00 AM.
Get your kicks on Siegfried-Wagner-Alee.
A first glimpse of Anna Netrebko‘s styling for her role debut as Aïda at Salzburg.
Has “opera-queen culture” really burned out?
We move on to Bayreuth’s revival of Parsifal.
“You see, Elaine, Dimitrij was a simple country boy, you might say a cockeyed optimist…”
Overhearing preparations for the Salzburg Aïda.
Tell us: What’s your favorite Verdi performance?
Hasten thee to feed another quarter of conversation for The Talk of the Town!
