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.
Appearances to the contrary, Deborah Voigt has not entered into a collaboration with Matthew Barney, or not yet anyway.
For your listening and discussing pleasure this afternoon, cher public, we offer Lucia di Lammermoor from Lyric Opera of Chicago.
As we enter the third week of the post-Fleming era, La Cieca would like to keep memory’s torch alive for America’s Most Beloved Quasi-Retired Diva.
Two aspects of Cecilia Bartoli in the title role of Ariodante, to be performed next week at the Salzburger Festspiele Pfingsten.
New York City Opera’s 2017/2018 season will offer four new mainstage productions at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Rose Theater,
Bass Christian Zaremba will sing the role of Angelotti in the Met’s new production of Tosca opening New Year’s Eve.
“Uh, I have,” Mr. McDermott said, laughing.
a More Farewells Than Melba Toast
Here’s where you can discuss La Fleming‘s penultimate Marschallin, as these nice young people seem to be doing.
Finally, Peter Gelb brings camp back to opera!
Here’s where you can chat
Here’s where the parterriani will surely gather to hear and to comment upon this evening’s monster gala celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Met’s incumbency at Lincoln Center.
Note to naysayers: there is nothing wrong with this singing!
“I thought you did it for me, Mama.”
Be ready to start chatting at 12:30 today, cher public, when the Met broadcasts The Knights Who Say “Nez!”
On this lovely May morning, La Cieca (pictured) and the gang down at parterre are delighted to salute our advertisers.
Which operatic heartthrob—who’s loved everywhere on earth, in fact—plans to make a surprise return to the Met to sing in next weekend’s 50th anniversary gala?
Hear, view and discuss: Ariodante starring Joyce DiDonato.
More Wagner listening excitement this afternoon at 1:00 PM, cher public, on the Met’s Saturday afternoon broadcast.
La Cieca wishes to extend her heartiest congratulations to that journalistic power couple the da Fonseca-Wollheim-Stephenses.
“Ms. Fleming, 58, and Ms. Dessay, 52, faced the same problem over the past decade or so.”
Since no doubt the New York contingent of the cher public are already shuddering in anticipation of a Kristine Opolais Tosca as a “gala” New Year’s Eve treat, La Cieca thought you might enjoy—again, surely too strong a word—a preview of sorts.
Maestro Yannick Nézet-Séguin takes up the baton for tonight’s season premiere of Der Fliegende Holländer at the Met, and the cher public will surely all be in place for discussion of The Gun Show.
At last the future plans of America’s Most Beloved Semi-Retired People’s Diva have been revealed!
Tell us: What’s your favorite Verdi performance?
Hasten thee to feed another quarter of conversation for The Talk of the Town!
