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The inside story of San Diego Opera's demise
The combination of one light opera and 2 - 3 others, plus a recital or other lighter offering could be workable, or should be looked into.— March 24, 2014 9:33 p.m.
The inside story of San Diego Opera's demise
In case anyone is interested (!), www.thepetitionsite.com has a 'save San Diego Opera' petition going. The first signature was at 1:45 this afternoon, and there are now almost 1000 signatures--only 5 hours later. Yes, I think that the decision to fold up the tent and go home was premature, and based upon purely selfish motives, which I won't go into at this time. Perhaps something can be salvaged. I, and may others, hope so!— March 24, 2014 5:43 p.m.
Quinones, Ricasa, Cartmill, Cabello weigh pleas vs. fighting
Jim and John had to have agreed as they have been bought, lock, stock and barrel, by Ed Brand. They are not their own men. They are puppets on a string. They couldn't tie their own shoelaces unless Fast Eddy told them to, and told them how. Hopeless, spineless, bloodless non-entities, doing the bidding of the master of disaster, Fast Eddy. Those are the conclusions I have arrived at, based upon years of watching, learning, reading, and being disappointed in what is going on in Sweetwater. My conclusions, my opinions, my enormous disappointment.— March 22, 2014 11:16 p.m.
Shocker: San Diego Opera to fold
While not wishing to poke at wounds, I do believe that mentioning difficulties in 2009 and shutting down the opera in 2014 leaves much middle ground in a mysterious haze. Call me harsh, but I think that measures could have been taken, measures that the public would have understood--and SD Opera could have continued. I do hope something can be salvaged, for the sake of the musicians and for the overall health of culture in San Diego. We don't have to be reduced to a stereotype of louts in flip-flops any more than the San Diego Opera needs to disappear because ONE arts leader and the ducklings that follow him have decided that they are just too, too exhausted to work another season. Again, very selfish. But I await your article. (Maybe it will be the cover story, which is why they are waiting). I really appreciate your wisdom and your knowledge on a wide range of subjects. I think that perhaps you know Mr. Campbell so well that you are very sympathetic to what he says, whereas I only know his voice and his face in photographs. It is perhaps easier for me to be critical, as I believe that those who are in positions of leadership owe it to the living breathing civilization we have to maintain such institutions as the SD Opera. (Too many local leaders have been a great disappointment). We certainly don't need more "leaders" who make sure they get their large share and then leave an institution in a state of collapse. That happens far too often.— March 22, 2014 9:53 p.m.
Broadway bayside blighted, Manchester lawyers say
Wasn't downtown Coronado declared blighted a few years back so they could use redevelopment funds? Curious how that works.— March 21, 2014 4:20 p.m.
Quinones, Ricasa, Cartmill, Cabello weigh pleas vs. fighting
Good question. I have a tendency to forget about him, as I am more familiar with the Sweetwater end of the mess. Not exactly a prime example of educational leadership. How do these people arrive at such a sense of self-entitlement? How can we eradicate this type of behavior?— March 21, 2014 3:53 p.m.
Shocker: San Diego Opera to fold
I guess that could be considered good news. However, I think, if he and the inner circle planned this for a few years, and it sounds like they did--it is extremely deceptive and irresponsible.— March 21, 2014 3:49 p.m.
Quinones, Ricasa, Cartmill, Cabello weigh pleas vs. fighting
I wish I knew better how to evaluate this information. The strategies employed by the remaining defendants would have to be survival of the fittest--which is, I hesitate to say, essentially proclaiming innocence of self, while delineating all the lies, scams and frauds of the others? My personal thought is that Gandara doesn't have any friends left in this part of town...unless you would count McCann, who, as we all know, could have fired Gandara for cause, but instead gave him an extraordinarily generous severance package. Aside from that, is it in Cartmill's benefit to dish on Gandara? I am sure that Ed Brand would love to see Cartmill dish on Lopez--perhaps that is one of the games afoot? Have all the others dish on Lopez, because she was the one who first reported these messes? Payback in the Pay to Play Game? From what I have heard, Gandara and some of his relatives back in Soccoro, TX are not having such a great time of it, what with the drug running charges and all. Where did this start, and where will it end? Sure would be nice if all this money could actually benefit the students and not the attorneys. (I know, attorneys have bills to pay, too...but this is ridiculous). I am sure Jim Cartmill is planning on the old "stout denial" defense. Just like that $50,000 loan from Ed Brand, which Cartmill claims never existed. If it never existed, why are there documents online to prove that it did? All part of a vast conspiracy, Mr. Cartmill? Which part?— March 21, 2014 2:25 p.m.
Shocker: San Diego Opera to fold
Forgive me for saying this, but despite your long acquaintanceship and perhaps even friendship with Mr. Campbell, he probably won't be answering anyone's questions. It just might be too uncomfortable for him. That is what I think it is all about--comfort, comfort zones, staying in them, making sure everyone involved gets to go home in peace, having enjoyed as much opera as they want to, for their lifetime(s). Because these are essentially the acts of VERY selfish people. They are not considering the current wider audience, the future audiences, the present musicians, those young people who will now never get the chance to be musicians, costume-designers and -makers, all the arts and trades that accompany opera. It's "Oh, I'm tired of it! Time for something new...let's go on a cruise, or take that trip to London for the theatre...!" Short-sighted. Self-centered. Insulting to those who actually thought these people cared for opera. Evidently they didn't, and it was all for show.— March 21, 2014 12:05 p.m.
San Diego Opera calls it quits
One of the problems is that with little to no exposure, young people who have the unusual and great voices that are operatic will not have the opportunity to develop their voices. They may never even recognize that they have a voice of that type. Similar to someone with magnificent athletic potential who never moves around enough to realize they are good at a particular game or position in a game. Schools are so very important to encourage and identify talents of all sorts, and that is why it is of the utmost importance that people in the schools, in leadership positions, are there for the right reasons--to educate upcoming generations, to expose them to the wider world, to cultural events, options and venues for self-expression. Which is why this society truly needs the guardians and watchdogs. Supporting civilization doesn't happen by accident. Sadly, many people today seem to be unaware of that. We all need to pitch in.— March 21, 2014 11:52 a.m.