Interesting week
The news may sometimes seem like the same old thing: choirs sing stuff, operas put on new (and old) shows, some singer gets interviewed, funding appears and disappears. But two items this week have unusual import for singers in the area:
 What's the difference between a singer and a foodie? It rarely amounts to much, and one of our fearless leaders proves it again: Our beloved Placido Domingo continues to spread himself very thin, as yet another project launched on Tuesday: he is co-owner of Zengo, the newly opened restaurant in Manhattan. This isn't his first restaurant, as his previous effort in Manhattan's Turtle Bay neighborhood was recently relaunched as 'Pampano', but has been open for several years as 'Domingo'. Where that establishment focuses on Mexican seafood dishes, the new effort, again opened with chef and business partner Richard Sandoval, focuses more on Spanish cuisine. Either way, it all sounds great, but how long can this man, currently recovering from the removal of a cancerous polyp, keep up the pace? And what is it doing to LA Opera, the organization he supposedly leads? If only we could partake of all that glorious food...
For a peek at Zengo, including the menu
(in case you want to report back after your
next trip to NYC), click here.
 The Vatican has announced a successorto Cardinal Roger Mahony, and the choice is making wavesin more than one social and economic sector: Archbishop Jose Gomez, coming to us from the Archdiocese of San Antonio, is one of only four Opus Deibishops, and although that conservative bent is likely to lead to wonderful social service programs, it could also have an impact on parish music programs. Texan sources contacted this week confirm that San Antonio's existing musical environment is more likely to include contemporary music in services than the traditional choral music requiring paid classical singers. Whether this is an administrative choice or an issue of local culture is unclear. But this move to Los Angeles will bring many changes for the incoming prelate.
Speculation on what Gomez will actually expect is fruitless at this point, of course, but we'll be watching carefully to see the directions policy is likely to take. Consider this a general heads-up -- artists always need to keep a collective ear to the ground. We'll certainly share any new information as it's available.
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