I commanded not, nor spake it, neither came it into my mind
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.
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.
The expression “and then I clicked close tab” gets thrown around a lot these days…
“An adventurous mix of music by Samuel Barber, Anders Hillborg and Björk…”
Don’t go for second best baby
The big news here surely is that Our Own JJ attempted to drive in Manhattan.
Hvorostovsky out of Met ‘Onegin’
Dmitri Hvorostovsky has withdrawn from his upcoming opera engagements, including this spring’s Met performances as the title character in Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin, due to illness.
The young and the restless
“We want to figure out how to create a nationwide change in how people think opera can be done. \“
The naked truth
Highlights of the Metropolitan Opera’s 2019-2020 season, according the always intriguing Met Future Wiki.
Chat: Salome
Listen (starting at 7:55 PM) and and chat, cher public.
Chat: Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk
From the Bayerische Staatsoper, a live telecast of Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk, starting at 1:00 PM today.
If you please
Everyone’s favorite disingenuous alt-right music critic, Jay Nordlinger, explains that the real problem in opera today is not enough blackface.
When divas collide, part infinity
La Royale hostessed a Fridays Under 40 reception before the opera, then graced a parterre box during the performance.
Principessa altera
Anna Netrebko will sing Turandot at the Met in a “forthcoming season.”
Chat: Manon Lescaut Saturday matinee
Get ready, cher public, for the first Met Saturday matinee broadcast.
Chat: L’Amour de Loin
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.
Divine gladness
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.
Powder her brain
So interesting an operatic topic as Barbara Cartland and her brain pills goes unset.
To my cher public
La Cieca (pictured) begs your pardon for her unexplained absence from the site for the past several days.
Turban outfitter
“Ms. Netrebko is not the kind to wear sweatpants unless they are fancy…”
Something that’s grim, something that’s Greek
Leoncavallo’s Edipo Re.
Climbing Up the Ass II: The Climbening
Incoming Met Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin lavishes praise on former Met Music Director James Levine for actually doing his job, for once.
Chat: Manon Lescaut
Get your faces on, cher public, for tonight’s chat during the season premiere of Manon Lescaut.
Taking stock of what I have and what I haven’t
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?