Joaquin_de_la_Mesa
Joaquin_de_la_Mesa is a Reader contributor. See staff page for published articles.
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Don’t let the Ché Café get punked by budget cuts
Awesome idea: name it Putin Cafe, then hold a referendum to be annexed by Russia. I'm sure old Vlad would be happy to fund the place under those circumstances. Problem solved.— May 13, 2014 11:26 a.m.
The Bailey, Julian Brewing Co. for sale
It's an Old West theme in an Old West kind of town: This town ain't big enough for the two of us.— April 23, 2014 10:02 a.m.
Opera president denies ugliest rumors
Did someone above really suggest that Songs of Norway will save the Opera?— April 7, 2014 5:20 p.m.
Opera Wednesday in La Jolla
Critiquing a critic… that IS a nice opportunity. Who else will be singing?— April 7, 2014 4:59 p.m.
The inside story of San Diego Opera's demise
A key point missing from your piece, Don, is how much longer Ian will receive his salary. I'm hearing rumors that he'll get his full salary through 2017.— March 24, 2014 10:12 a.m.
Shocker: San Diego Opera to fold
There's a parallel discussion of this question going on over on Garrett Harris's classical music blog. http://www.sandiegoreader.com/news/2014/mar/19/cl… I think what's dying is not opera, but money-saturated "Grand Opera." Meaning, penthouse offices, huge staffs, big executive salaries, the out-of-town singing talent model, etc. Opera can no longer be a vehicle for all of that. Not outside of New York.— March 20, 2014 1:32 p.m.
San Diegans shocked by news of San Diego Opera's closure
Pagliacci available for parties! Awesome.— March 20, 2014 1:15 p.m.
San Diego Opera calls it quits
I think a distinction has to be made in this conversation between opera and Big Time Grand Opera. Opera is an art form which still draws people. The SDO sold out (or nearly sold out) four shows of Pagliacci earlier this year. That's 12,000 people coming to see an 100+ year-old show. People still love opera. What's dying, I think, is Grand Opera --- opera as a raison d'être for a big, almost corporate company with big executive salaries, dozens of employees, expensive out-of-town singers, and all of these things. Maybe in New York that idea can survive. Not in San Diego.— March 20, 2014 1:12 p.m.
San Diego Opera calls it quits
@Dan, yes, Mr. Marks referenced the movie theater operas above. And it is a way to go. Subsidization in NOT a good idea in the long run. Yes, Italy has been doing it, and Italy is bankrupt, so…. Art should stand on its own feet.— March 20, 2014 1:01 p.m.
San Diego Opera calls it quits
I have mixed feelings about this. I love Opera, and attend at least one show almost every year. But the paradigm of the Big Time Opera Company -- non-local singers making thousands per performance, full orchestra, huge choruses, huge expensive sets, huge theaters, 18th floor penthouse offices, $400,000 executive salaries -- may be outmoded. Maybe it's time for opera to downsize, get back to its roots, become more local and less… corporate, for lack of a better word. What do you think, Mr. Harris?— March 19, 2014 11:34 p.m.