directory  |  sites  |  press        Submit Site  |  Submit Press Release

Dear USOPERAWEB,

I really enjoyed your online article about the firing of Austin Lyric Opera Director Joseph McClain. I'm so disappointed in the ALO Board for dismissing Mr. McClain in such a shameful manner. He has obviously been such a brilliant director and a man of amazing energy and vision - we've been so lucky to have him! This is about "Texas good ol' boy" clashes of ego and attitudes that unfortunately can be rather backwater. Look what has happened with the design of the Blanton Museum of Art - what a travesty.

If there were differences between Mr. McClain and the Board, they should have been worked out. And even if McClain would ultimately have had to go, ALO should have made the transition with a lot more class than it did. I have had some thrilling opera experiences at ALO productions, but I have to admit - after this sleazy performance by the board, I'll probably be less inclined to go.

Colleen Theriot

Dear USOPERAWEB,

Thank you so much for the article about the Joseph McClain situation with Austin Lyric Opera. Though I am a performing artist living in New York City now, I still maintain a home in Austin, and was part of the arts community for twenty years there. Since McClain's dismissal I haven't been able to get the straight story from anyone. I always thought McClain was a major miracle, basically pulling the opera "out of his hat" to begin with, and then doing everything but selling blood to keep it alive all these years. I'm afraid his shoddy treatment by the board of directors is typical of all the major arts organizations in Austin. Once these arts entities are created by artists, they seem to fall under the control of "high society doyennes" that know little or nothing about the arts they champion so lukewarmly. Inevitably they throw out the founders, directors, choreographers, et al., whenever there is a disagreement about budgets, costumes or of course, content. It is always amusing to me how important it is for these socialites to use the term "world class" when describing the performing arts in Austin, and always disheartening when I realize just how naïve a concept it is. Austin was and is a wonderful place for artists to pursue their dreams. Unfortunately there is "a glass ceiling" which prevents the views of the creative class from ever being seen on equal terms with the lowliest socialite's. As a result Austin art is held hostage by "backwoods millionaires."

Sincerely,
Sterling Price-McKinney
(former bad boy of the Austin arts)