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.
La Cieca hears that the dress rehearsal of Nabucco at the Met earlier today came to a halt when the statue of Baal burst into flames.
“An adventurous mix of music by Samuel Barber, Anders Hillborg and Björk…”
The big news here surely is that Our Own JJ attempted to drive in Manhattan.
Dmitri Hvorostovsky has withdrawn from his upcoming opera engagements, including this spring’s Met performances as the title character in Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin, due to illness.
“Norma non mente!”
“We want to figure out how to create a nationwide change in how people think opera can be done. \“
Highlights of the Metropolitan Opera’s 2019-2020 season, according the always intriguing Met Future Wiki.
Listen (starting at 7:55 PM) and and chat, cher public.
From the Bayerische Staatsoper, a live telecast of Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk, starting at 1:00 PM today.
Everyone’s favorite disingenuous alt-right music critic, Jay Nordlinger, explains that the real problem in opera today is not enough blackface.
La Royale hostessed a Fridays Under 40 reception before the opera, then graced a parterre box during the performance.
Anna Netrebko will sing Turandot at the Met in a “forthcoming season.”
Get ready, cher public, for the first Met Saturday matinee broadcast.
This is our anniversary day, cher public.
Whether near or far, cher public, you can enjoy the Met premiere of L’Amour de Loin in the company of other denizens of La Casa della Cieca.
La Cieca thought it would be nice to revisit an Unnatural Acts of Opera podcast which included selections from the diva’s 1958 US recital tour.
Anna has gone auburn!
So interesting an operatic topic as Barbara Cartland and her brain pills goes unset.
La Cieca (pictured) begs your pardon for her unexplained absence from the site for the past several days.
“Ms. Netrebko is not the kind to wear sweatpants unless they are fancy…”
Leoncavallo’s Edipo Re.
Incoming Met Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin lavishes praise on former Met Music Director James Levine for actually doing his job, for once.
Get your faces on, cher public, for tonight’s chat during the season premiere of Manon Lescaut.
Which two divine opera productions will make New York fans feel like they’ve got the sun in the morning and the moon at night when these stagings arrive here in the 2018-2019 season?
Tell us: What’s your favorite Verdi performance?
Hasten thee to feed another quarter of conversation for The Talk of the Town!
