Reader comments
Utah Festival Opera boasts 'world-class talent'

I don't know of anyplace else in the US where you can see broadway shows with a symphony orchestra. Even in NY, they use less than 20 pieces. Many companies use recorded and sythesised sound. Even if you are not an opera fan, go see Mikado and Camelot. You won't see it better anyplace. In fact you won't see it as good.

The Utah Festival Opera begs and borrows taxes to support an elite costly hobby that benefits few. What every happened to our recession? Can't we act like we are having one? Can't the door price bay for the indulgence?

Don't be ignorant, Carl - google the facts. The UFO was accessing funds that were already sitting there from years past for the arts, they just didn't need it in the past. It was saved for a rainy day. As far as benefitting few, almost all of the singers, musicians and crew are from out of state. Each person spends approx. $2-$3,000 in food, gas, local stores, etc. throughout the summer - all things that help the community. Multiply that by at least 200 people and you've got a significant amount of cash coming in through sales tax and sales that are supporting stores that in turn can keep their employees working. If wall streeters actually worked as hard as these people to do survive, there wouldn't be a recession. The recession is the result of lazy gamblers, not hard-working artists.

Utah Festival Opera provides the community and those who visit with a wonderfully enriching musical experience. The artists are consistently spectacular. The orchestra music is sublime. The theatre is beautiful. Cache Valley is the perfect backdrop to it all. Michael Ballam's vision for this opera festival is a blessing to anyone who comes. There are so many good choices of entertainment, but this one tops them all and actually feeds the soul. As a local resident, the opera season is the highlight of our summer. Don't miss it.