This note was written by Linda and Philip Waters, owners of the Mancos Opera House Company. They write to Opera Lafayette’s team and wider community to thank us for resurrecting the production of The Blacksmith despite the pandemic. Read this touching note below and feel free to leave your own comments below should be mood strike you.
To all of our friends with Opera Lafayette,
Linda and I want you to know it has been pure joy to have you here in Mancos, and to be able to be your host for your residency and rehearsals.
This has been a difficult year for all of us. For Linda and me the rollercoaster of doing major work on the Mancos Opera House, looking forward to the original plan for a spring production of The Blacksmith, then the lows of pandemic onset and personal health problems, unexpected construction issues, the anticipation of a rescheduled residency, the highs of passing inspections, the lows of new COVID-19 rules changing the revised game plan, the frustrations of last minute change orders from the State Fire suppression inspector just as some of you were beginning to arrive. All of which pales in the face of the turmoil we are all seeing as our society faces new and old unresolved pain.
When you began to arrive in Mancos, and come into the Mancos Opera House for the first time, we likely did not offer much welcome, being two rather exhausted and likely dirty humans who were scurrying around the edges taking care of last minute forgotten things.
Then we began to hear music in the building again. And laughter. And the Mancos Opera House grew warm in her bones again.
We cannot begin to find the words to express how much good you all have done for our souls. You have reaffirmed for us the fundamental greatness of this building, and the importance of this project, and we are delighted beyond description that you have come to rechristen the space, to bring it your blessings. We are delighted to have you use it as one of your musical homes in the Mancos Valley, and we hope you receive as many blessings as we are receiving from all of you. We wish you a lovely Rocky Mountain Fall.
With heartfelt love,
Linda and Philip Walters
Mancos Opera House Company
