Lowering the curtain

Last week's announcement that the Pamiro Opera is closing is sad news for all of northeast Wisconsin. The Green Bay opera company, had put on 33 productions in its 18-year history, including one world premiere.

Pamiro showcased local talent -- including singers and crews. Its productions, which typically cost $180,000 -- a bargain for operas, were of high enough quality to be presented on any stage in the country. Its Tosca of a few seasons back rivaled anything done at the Metropolitan Opera in New York.

As wonderful as it is to see the refurbished Lambeau Field take shape and know that it will keep the Packers in Green Bay, it's equally sad to know that the Pamiro Opera will not be part of this area's future.

We can only hope that Milwaukee's Florentine Opera will perform an opera a year in Green Bay. It won't fill the gap completely, but it's a start.

As for the Pamiro and its founder and artistic director, Miroslav Pansky, thank you for sharing your God-given skills and the beauty of opera with this region.