I often think about the condition of higher education, but was concerned not at all when I  went to see "La Boheme" in a movie theater at the mall. Opera in San Diego Opera is very much on the minds of San Diegans. Recently and suddenly, our local opera announced it was closing. The situation here is as it is in many places: aging donors and audiences, increasing costs, decreasing revenue, and competing entertainments. The leader of the opera, Ian Campbell, and his gigantic board, chose to die swiftly at their own hand. All hell broke loose. Was it as dire as Campbell and the Board proclaimed? Why the rush? Were there no affluent … [Read more...]