Santa Fe Opera says no to state money

SANTA FE (KRQE) - At a time when nearly everyone is holding onto every penny thrown their way, the Santa Fe Opera is telling the state to take its name off of list of projects to be funded.

Senators are looking over a proposal to give the famed music venue $1.3 million for a new rehearsal hall, but the opera has decided not to take the money.

"It would have given us a permanent rehearsal space as opposed to a temporary tent," Santa Fe Opera General Director Charles Mackay said.

Mackay said the plans were already drawn up and the money was set aside, but when they realized the state's budget was in big trouble, Santa Fe opera officials sent a letter to Gov. Bill Richardson.

"We had decided not to seek funds during the upcoming special and regular legislative sessions," the letter reads.

The letter was written in October, months before legislators gathered to solve the budget problem.

"It is something that we really need, but at the same time, we recognize the state funds for this purpose is not appropriate at this time," Mackay said.

As selfless as it sounds, the money is still in a senate bill that lawmakers are looking at.

Even though the governor received word of the opera's generosity, "He said to me, 'Are you sure you want to release those funds?' And I said yes," Mackay said.

It's up to senators to take the allocation out of the bill.

For now the opera is planning on not seeing that money. Mackay said they will continue to practice in its two rehearsal halls.

"Well you have to know that we have five operas rehearsing at once, so it becomes quite of a bit of juggling game," Mackay said.

He said they don't mind juggling for now, so the state can get back on its feet.

The opera appropriation was one of hundreds for projects around the state, which lawmakers usually approve. However, this year there's a move to kill many of them and use the money to cover the deficit.

The Santa Fe Opera is planning private fundraisers to help pay for a rehearsal hall.