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• Getting worse in Fresno

  Getting worse in Fresno

  On March 23, Fresnans had the rare opportunity to attend a live performance by the world renowned opera star Rene Fleming. However, contract negotiations between the musicians union and the Fresno Grand Opera had not been going well, so at 5 p.m., Larry Gardner, president of the musicians union, stated they had voted to go on strike and would boycott the performance.

  By 8 p.m., the audience had arrived, the performers had arrived, and yes, some musicians had arrived, only they were out front carrying picket signs. An impromptu program was hastily assembled with the 12 musicians who did participate and the show did go on.

  In a later Bee article, Mr. Gardner said the Fresno Grand Opera has been placed on the International Unfair List so any union musician who accepts its work will be subject to fines and penalties. Will the performing artists put Fresno on their list of places to be avoided at all costs and we will be the poorer for it?

• Blame opera management

  Blame opera management

  A letter writer on April 9 blames Larry Gardner, Musicians Union president, for putting Fresno on a "worst" list. Actually, with unfair, tardy actions, General Manager Ronald D. Eichman puts Fresno Grand Opera on a "worst management" list.

  FGO had advertised Renee Fleming's concert for months. Repertoire and instrumentation requirements were known. FGO should have hired musicians months ago. What motivated their delay?

  There is a clue. Days before the concert, FGO hired competent, but non-union musicians from out of town, just as they had done before Jackie Evancho's performance. This demonstrates an intent to circumvent negotiations with the union. FGO was not bargaining in good faith.

• Katie Couric urges UVa grads to persevere

  Katie Couric urges UVa grads to persevere

  Television journalist Katie Couric has urged University of Virginia graduates to take risks and persevere.

• Musicians still on strike with Fresno Grand Opera

  Musicians still on strike with Fresno Grand Opera

  The ramifications of Tuesday's Renee Fleming concert continue.

• Labor walk-out delays, alters Renee Fleming's Fresno concert

  Labor walk-out delays, alters Renee Fleming's Fresno concert

  Despite a musician's strike, opera star Renee Fleming took the stage at the Saroyan Theatre Tuesday, a little more than a half-hour late and with a fraction of the 60 musicians planned for the evening.