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Opera operative advised no discussion of fat checks
Some operas call for fancy staging, others do not. The original producers had to work on a budget, just like modern ones. *La Boheme* is fine in a dumpy set, while *Turandot* really should have a princely set. But if you sang *Turandot* in tee shirts it still would be a great work of art and a worthy effort.— April 19, 2014 12:29 a.m.
Opera operative advised no discussion of fat checks
Opera singers might be the heaviest to take the stage in a lead role, because actors don't get hired when overweight, but I'm not sure the average listener is really so much lighter. If I were to find reasons, I would suggest hours of practice at home combined with a nerve wracking job.— April 18, 2014 5:40 p.m.
Might Chargers eye property occupied by opera studio?
Most of the City can't afford regular attendance at current prices. The discussion often ignores this. I don't attend primarily because of price. I became a fan in the Seventies, when the prices for students were similar to the movies. Nowadays I can barely afford the movies and even the tickets to the cheap seats at the Opera cost many times movie tickets. Even for those making many times what I live on, price is a consideration. Many would attend every night if they could afford good seats. When a well advertised product doesn't sell, generally it's because it's not worth the price. Efforts to increase the worth, by spending lots of money, have failed to fill the seats. If we accept the premise that the product is of a higher quality, and opening night is well attended, then the empty seats likely are due to price.— April 18, 2014 10:24 a.m.
Might Chargers eye property occupied by opera studio?
This is great news, perhaps the Opera will now be run by those determined to present Opera. I suspect we will see more surreal antics, but a leader of the Board of Directors determined to go forward is a necessary start. Let's put on a show.— April 18, 2014 1:24 a.m.
Might Chargers eye property occupied by opera studio?
This is so slapdash, one should have the books cooked thoroughly before launching a scheme like this, that way you could respond for requests for money with bogus figures instead of arrogant personal attacks. We should remember that Ian Campbell started this run on the bank by proclaiming the Opera he controls unable to perform. Note that he calls the threat of litigation unnecessary and insulting, then says he will refer this to lawyers. Someone with a heart would try to detail when and what his employees might expect to be paid. This smells crazier and crazier.— April 16, 2014 11:56 a.m.
Might Chargers eye property occupied by opera studio?
The full scheme depends on there being no bankruptcy, as has been claimed all along, in that case all debts would be paid. The lack of formal bankruptcy, and the failure to resign, suggests that management wants to control assets to the end, and pocket what they can without court supervision. And the unsaid again speaks the loudest, what precisely is the amount in total that management will receive? How much debt is secured by what assets? When will Ian Campbell give up control of the company he ruined? Who will take over for him?— April 16, 2014 1:03 a.m.
Might Chargers eye property occupied by opera studio?
“We knew the problem was coming, We took rather dramatic action in cutting expenses. Nobody stepped back. We all tried to do what we could. These are the cold, hard facts rather than emotions.”. Ian Campbell The dramatic action to save the Opera doesn't include forbearance of his own greed. The cold hard facts in the balance sheet are still secret. "We knew the problem was coming," but signed singers for next year, warned no one of their impending job loss, and kept spending unabated. *And failed to tell wealthy members of the board!!!* That anyone could believe this stuff amazes.— April 15, 2014 6:48 p.m.
Might Chargers eye property occupied by opera studio?
I'm not so sure this real estate is important or valuable. Property South of Market street can be surprisingly reasonable by the square foot. I would call property value hikes from the proposed Convstadium a Field of Schemes. If you build it they will slum. The Gaslamp was thriving when Petco Park was built, but the developments around it didn't sell. The Opera Studio value is part of the puzzle to be solved when the books are opened. If the present company shuts down, a group determined to save Opera and or the Theater Arts in San Diego should be given a chance to bid on the complete business.— April 15, 2014 2:28 p.m.
San Diego Opera head says all want to save company
I've been puzzled from the start by his failure to resign. His skills aren't needed to liquidate the Opera's assets, and as a creditor, his participation would be improper if not illegal. Something is amiss. Shepherding his own payout is likely part of the explanation. From his statements, his thinking seems delusional, blaming our City for their failure to attend, now I guess it's the Board's fault for failing to stay within budget. Fact is, he had a good run, then he flopped. No shame in that, but his actions now seem unhinged or crooked.— April 14, 2014 2:13 a.m.
San Diego Opera head says all want to save company
This just gets more chaotic, and sad. Management amazes me, why don't they resign? One thing is certain, these stage professionals aren't staging this disaster. This caught them by surprise. If their planned motivation was to protect their claims against the company, they wouldn't have funded a new production of *Don Quixote*, when they had one in storage. The pretense that they saw this coming is strange, something is concealed more disgraceful than the shady fund raising they falsely confess.— April 13, 2014 10:02 p.m.