[From the 6/3 edition of www.sfcv.org]

All language coach positions at the San Francisco Opera were eliminated
on Sunday, according to SF Classical Voice sources. Officially not yet
confirmed, news of the sweeping action came as a shock to the staff,
even as details of cutbacks worth $5 million keep trickling in from the
deficit-ridden administration.

Several coaches have been with SFO for decades. One of them commented
on the report of the complete sweep that the company may be heading in
the direction of a provincial house. It is not known what the action's
effect will be on the SF Opera Center, where diction training has been
an important part of the Merola and Adler programs.

In a week's time, both the SFO orchestra and chorus will begin the crucial
phase of contract negotiations. The administration had proposed a number
of extreme cutbacks in both that are likely to result in a profound
impact on the quality of the product - *if* accepted by members of the
various unions.

Janos Gereben/SF
www.sfcv.org
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