tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1985395961024041152.post4844822476376718041..comments2023-10-06T05:13:25.652-04:00Comments on The Civilized Life in Sarasota: Sarasota Opera's Opening Night GalaDebbi Benedicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07022947175251684855noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1985395961024041152.post-33763433291108969342012-02-15T16:23:20.673-05:002012-02-15T16:23:20.673-05:00I certainly respect your opinion Mr. Houston, and ...I certainly respect your opinion Mr. Houston, and we all experience things differently, but I did not "bash" the organization. I was suggesting ways I thought they could improve the event, not the opera. I quite admire the opera and Susan Danis, especially. I attend every year and I enjoyed "Carmen". In regards to your frugality comment, nothing I suggested actually costs money - the scenery and costumes the opera already owns, while changing the color of the tablecloth also costs nothing. A guitarist might cost $200, but that would be it. Also, you do not choose to hold an event at the Ritz to be frugal, so that comment holds no water for me. :-) If I "bashed" anything, it would be the Ritz. I would be interested in hearing what you thought of the food. Was yours as cold as mine was? Also, don't you think a better use of the program would have been to highlight the contributions of Betsy and Harvey and not a greeting from the chef? In saying all that, I do appreciate your commenting on my blog. Thanks for reading!Debbi Benedicthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07022947175251684855noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1985395961024041152.post-14789364335189533282012-02-15T10:00:50.885-05:002012-02-15T10:00:50.885-05:00I sincerely disagree with Ms. Benedict's asses...I sincerely disagree with Ms. Benedict's assessment of the evening. I attended the gala to support an organization that has brought so much joy to my life over the years. Not to have a flamenco dancer bounce around me during a cocktail hour. Leave that for the theater. Everyone I spoke to enjoyed the evening thoroughly. <br /><br />In this day in age when arts organizations are closing down while other arts organizations struggle to maintain their high artistic level with ever shrinking budgets, perhaps we should reassess our expectations to keep in mind the bigger picture rather than bash an organization for putting frugality first.Joseph Houstonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06235719381328814057noreply@blogger.com