And let the voice of Justice bring relief
Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg takes her curtain call.
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.
Singer from the dance
Unnatural Acts of Opera‘s podcast of Salome stars none other then Leonie Rysanek.
Dacquoise, you come to me with naught save love
“And baking and icing…”
Alla pompa che si appresta meco, o schiava, assisterai
The celebrated ‘Triumph’ scene… borders on homoerotic porn.
“It’s a return!”
“Patricia Racette will add a new role to her Met repertory as the title character in all performances of Strauss’s Salome this season…”
Nile, be seeing you
La Cieca is sure you’ll find something to chat about.
Lounging in their caftans and planning a triumph on their own behalf
The entire action is set at a cocktail party at the Taylor-Burtons’ circa 1971
She had the goods and how she could deliver
Legendary comet Elena Suliotis takes the title role in this 1968 performance of Catalani’s Loreley.
Happy Birthday, Mrs. J. J. Brown
On this day in 1960 the Meredith Willson musical The Unsinkable Molly Brown opened on Broadway.
There’s an old girl in town
The production will also mark a notable New York City Opera debut with the role of the Old Lady played by Linda Lavin.
You’re soaking in it
Our parterre advertisers for November are a lot more than just mild.
Parterrian makes international news
Dallas native Roger Kaiser, identified as the guy who sprinkled a mentor’s ashes in the pit of the Met yesterday (and all that came after) is a parterre commenter.
Powder keg
A source close to the Met says tonight’s L’italiana in Algeri has been canceled in the wake of an incident this afternoon when “somebody dumped an unknown white powder into the pit following act 3″ of Guillaume Tell.
Chat: Jenufa
If there’s anything the Kostelnicka likes, it’s having people talk about her.
Journey to the center of the mirth
From 2008, Unnatural Acts of Opera recalls 1988, when Rossini’s Il viaggo a Reims invaded the Wiener Staatoper.
Singin’ in the reine
Stepping into the role of Dido will be American mezzo-soprano Susan Graham.
O que é que a Netrebko tem?
Anna Netrebko, headliner of Sunday’s Richard Tucker Gala, is now a Latin from Manhattan.
Welcome to the Dollhouse
No guarantees, because we are talking about Russian TV technology here, but apparently at 2:00 PM today there is a video stream of Manon Lescaut from the Bolshoi starring Anna Netrebko and Yusif Eyvazov!
Latter day trove
Manon Lescaut, live from the Bolshoi Opera on October 19., 2016.
Chat: Guillaume Tell
Note the early start time of 6:25 PM for tonight’s streaming broadcast of Guillaume Tell.
Jason McVicker 1962-2016
This is the hardest piece I’ve ever tried to write for parterre.
Doing what come unnaturally
“Grace Bumbry Sings Richard Strauss?”
Come out, come out, wherever you are!
Happy National Coming Out Day!