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Opera: Campbells could get up to $3 million more
THE SHEISTER SINGERS---possible working title.— April 8, 2014 9:56 a.m.
Opera: Campbells could get up to $3 million more
He confessed the deception. Many lawyers would recommend staying quiet, and perhaps we know when they consulted a lawyer, by when they stopped talking. Statements known to be false, made to enable the solicitation of charitable funds smell like crime to me. I'm not a lawyer.— April 8, 2014 9:48 a.m.
Opera: Campbells could get up to $3 million more
The State of California has laws governing non profits that solicit donations, I don't believe it's legal to stuff the money in one's pockets while pretending another purpose. For the period between when the Campbells decided to fold the Opera, many months ago by their account, and the day they announced the closing, Ian Campbell was stuffing the money in his tuxedo while talking up a 2015 season that by his confession, he believed unlikely to happen. In the common parlance this is a charity scam, and fancy bylaws and rules of operation can't make it honest. I'm less certain about legalities. I bet a subpoena cracks open the books.— April 7, 2014 11:15 p.m.
Opera: Campbells could get up to $3 million more
It's depressing to be right on the money sometimes, a juicy severance package seemed the only logical explanation for Mr. Campbell's absurd prattle about the impossibility of Opera in our City, and "watered down beer". The books must be opened of course, but when they are, we likely will find that every asset has been thoroughly looted. Salaries were high, but likely we will see self dealing with donated funds added on top of that. Those fiercely loyal board members may well have shared the loot, until they make public every detail, we should assume the worst. They accepted donated funds, they have a duty to explain what happened to the money. They may continue to ignore common decency, but they will obey the law.— April 7, 2014 8:40 p.m.
Opera board not provided with information requested
You might call it a eulogy, except that the loved one jumped up from the casket and complained of being murdered for the inheritance.— April 7, 2014 10:48 a.m.
Opera board not provided with information requested
If the books the Campbells conceal from the board contain mere negligence, they can be fired for cause, voiding their contracts. There may be fraud, Ian Campbell has confessed deception. The speech was classic, "We love you, you're so great, thanks for your service you're all fired. Thanks for your support, which was too piddling for the big time, but enough to keep me in folding money. See ya!".— April 6, 2014 10:45 p.m.
Opera board not provided with information requested
Opera should reach out to general audiences. Some might be surprised to learn that most performers are attractive young people who don't take themselves too seriously. Many don't know that many operas are funny and filled with tunes so catchy they are used in commercials. So many have never seen and heard Opera, this won't change unless performers leave the concert hall and meet the public where they gather.— April 6, 2014 9:03 p.m.
Opera board not provided with information requested
Opera must reach out to a wider audience. I recommend grabbing the Spreckels Pavillion for a week in next years Balboa Park fiasco, and put on a free show of highlights, accompanied by the orchestra one can afford. I would ask the Symphony for help in this. Then management should do what I do, look the audience in the eye and see what makes them stay, and what makes them leave, and schedule the next shows accordingly.— April 6, 2014 11:12 a.m.
Opera board not provided with information requested
All happy ledgers are alike, each unhappy ledger is unhappy in it's own way.— April 6, 2014 10:22 a.m.
Opera board not provided with information requested
The next step is simple, but we may find the books are complicated. There is something really farcical in denying the Board access to the figures.— April 5, 2014 3:01 p.m.