SAN DIEGO – May 19, San Diego Opera received word, directed to the former board president, from the California attorney general’s office, that San Diego Opera is the subject of an audit. The communication requested the Opera turn over certain records and retain all existing documents.
Holland & Knight Partner, Bruce Ross, who represents San Diego Opera, said, “The Company understands the attorney general’s interest in San Diego Opera and is cooperating fully with the audit. The Company wishes to assure its employees, benefactors and all the people who have been following the recreation of San Diego Opera that it will work through this period and emerge a fiscally responsible, energized opera company deeply rooted in the community and focused on the future.”
It is not business as usual at San Diego Opera. In the past eight weeks, the reconstituted board raised over $4.5 million, changed staff, leadership and board management and announced a 2015 season, the Company’s 50th.
“We welcome the opportunity to open our records to Kamala Harris’s office, as doing so will assure the public of our promise of transparency and good governance,” shares COO Keith Fisher. “Public support of the Company in the future can only be successful with the public’s trust. I’m confident that the results of this audit will strengthen that trust.”
San Diego Opera announced its 2015 Season May 19, after originally announcing its closure March 19. After two months of careful analysis, deliberation and fundraising, the current board of directors voted to rescind the decision to close. The newly announced season, the Company’s 50th, consists of La Bohème (January/February, 2015), Don Giovanni (February, 2015) and Nixon in China (March, 2015), as well as a special 50th Anniversary Celebration Concert (April, 2015). Additional operas and events will be announced shortly. Subscriptions are now on sale at www.sdopera.com or by phone at 619-533-7000 (Mon.-Fri. 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.)
