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 has been informed LoftOpera is relocating its next production, Così fan tutte—opening on September 16, with performances until September 25—to 101 Varick Avenue, a massive warehouse space in East Williamsburg.
The dramatic tenor died this morning in Vienna.
Born on this day in 1900 soprano Joan Cross.
The widely-acclaimed Aix-en-Provence production of Pelléas et Mélisande, broadcast at 1:00 PM on CBC-TWO, is the subject of this afternoon’s discussion at La Casa della Cieca.
“Part cabaret confessional, part homage to the Great American Songbook…”
“Grammy Award winner and international opera star Joyce DiDonato will perform on October 3 in White Rabbit Red Rabbit.”
Now this I call arts journalism!
Braindead fucktard Norman Lebrecht makes two major errors of fact in two sentences.
To chat or not to chat?
Say what you will about Sarah Palin, but she gets her styling tips from the best!
Separated at spitcurl: ice queen Vanessa (Erin Wall) and misfit boy toy Claus (Jonathan Blalock)?
Here’s a tease of Anna Netrebko‘s “In questa reggia,.”
La Cieca (pictured) asks, what are your eight (or even 10) can’t-miss opera events for the fall?
La Cieca is proud to share with her cher public the transition of parterre.com to a new commenting system powered by Disqus.com.
“When you’re really quiet, you can hear the tinkling when they stop.”
Soprano Daniela Dessì has died of cancer. She was 59.
Those of you looking forward to enjoying a Broadway play based on the life of Kathleen Battle, starring Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o, will have to go on waiting.
Finally we know what Brian Kellow used to do at Opera News: proofreading.
A sneak preview of perhaps the most intriguing track on Anna Netrebko’s forthcoming Verismo CD.
On this day in 1876 the Bayreuth Festspielhaus opens with the first complete performance of the Ring.
The soprano, famed for her status youngest performer to make a debut at the Met as well as her flamboyant style and personality, died last Thursday after suffering a stroke.
An aging eccentric—who has for decades occupied a dubious place on the fringes of New York’s musical life—today saw a lifelong dream fulfilled.
La Cieca hears that Stefan Herheim’s Met Meistersinger (scheduled for 2019-2020) may not be his New York debut after all.
Now this is a piece of (imaginary) casting so obvious you have to wonder if it hasn’t already happened and we missed it.
Tell us: What’s your favorite Verdi performance?
Hasten thee to feed another quarter of conversation for The Talk of the Town!
