I’ve never seen one as big as that before
The ineffable Fred Plotkin explains why, so far as he’s concerned, size doesn’t matter.
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.
Levine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood
“How many years can you ask your subscribers to see the same production?”
Frauen sind doch bessere Diplomaten
1940s German musical movie star Marika Rökk was a Russian counterspy!
Nature abhors a vacuum
La Cieca asks the cher public to take a moment to enhance their enjoyment of parterre.com by reviewing these updates and suggestions.
Broadcast: I puritani
Javier Camarena fanboys (and others) are invited to comment on today’s Met broadcast of I puritani, which begins at 1:00 PM.
Panel stumped
La Cieca admits she was surprised the historically well-informed cher public missed the mark so frequently on the “Breadbox” quiz.
Apathy greets announcement of Metropolitan Opera’s 2017-2018 season
An authentically reactionary revival of Franco Zeffirelli‘s sacred production of Puccini’s Tosca is the highlight of the Met’s 2017-2018 season, staged by Sir David McVicar.
Reminder: predict the Met’s 2017-2018 casting and win big!
The Met Casting for 2017-2018 competition closes at 10:00 AM tomorrow (Wednesday).
End of an era
Fort Worth Opera earlier today parted ways with its general director of 16 years, Darren K. Woods.
A time to ill
“Pretty Yende will sing the role of Elvira in tomorrow evening’s performance of Bellini’s I Puritani, replacing Diana Damrau, who is ill.”
When I have sung my songs to you I’ll sing no more
Which octogenarian fixture of the operatic world is preparing to make a farewell of sorts, perhaps as soon as late summer of this year?
Broadcast: Carmen
This afternoon’s broadcast, cher public: Bizet’s Carmen, starting at 1:00 PM.
Broadcast: I puritani
Grab your veils, cher public, and join the listening party for I puritani tonight at 7:30 tonight.
Happy birthday Leontyne Price!
Today is the 90th anniversary of the birth of the great American diva.
Nicolai Gedda 1925-2017
According to the Svenska Dagblatet, the internationally renowned Swedish singer died yesterday.
Cast thy breadbox upon the waters
What better time for a competition in which you, the cher public (pictured), attempt to predict the future?
Jesus Christ! Superstars?
LOC will offer a winning combination of uninspired repertoire and soporific casting.
Break, blow, burn, and make me new
Says Glenn Close: “The luxury of coming back to such an iconic part having been battered about by life is really revelatory for me.”
There is nothing you can take to relieve this pleasant ache
“There is a water sprite (called a merman by the Juilliard), a witch and other flora and fauna of Czech folklore.”
Two steppes forward, one steppe back
“Et d’ailleurs, les costumes me font ressembler à un côté d’une maison.”
Broadcast: Rigoletto
La Cieca (pictured) invites you all to enjoy and comment upon this afternoon’s broadcast of Rigoletto, already in progress.
Ein Wolf war er feigen Füchsen!
Here’s Matt Baume enjoying Der Fluch Des Engelhart,
Chakra can
Which diva has blamed her chronic tardiness at rehearsals on a bad case of misaligned throat chakra?