A letter to the editor on ‘slovenly clothing’ at an Opera Maine gala riled up readers. Now the newspaper says it was ‘misled’ and the letter has been retracted.
"It’s unfortunate that someone would set out to deceive us."
Opera Maine has a message for anyone who read the letter to the editor that went viral over the weekend for its criticism of “slovenly clothing” at a recent gala in Portland: They don’t care what you wear to their events. In fact, the performing arts nonprofit is pretty sure whoever wrote the letter, published in the Portland Press Herald on Saturday and signed with the name Crawford Williamson, is just a troll. Caroline Koelker, executive director of Opera Maine, told Boston.com that no one by that name attended the “Magic of Opera” gala, held on April 28 to celebrate the nonprofit’s 25th anniversary. “If that person did attend our gala, they’re not using their real name, and there are several allegations in the letter that are not true,” she said Monday. “So it seems as though this is a troll and is just seeking to use inflammatory language.”The Press Herald said later Monday in a statement sent to Boston.com that it has removed the letter, titled “Slovenly clothing, behavior mar enjoyment of Opera Maine Gala,” from its website and will publish a response from Opera Maine. The nonprofit had requested the newspaper print a retraction and publish a letter from them in response to the originally published letter.In its statement, the newspaper said it was “misled” by the letter writer. “On Saturday we published a letter to the editor from someone calling himself ‘Crawford Williamson’ that was critical of people’s conduct at Opera Maine’s gala,” the Press Herald said. “While we used our standard verification process for letters, we were misled by the author of the letter, who twice gave us a fake name. We have removed the letter from our website and are publishing a response from Opera Maine. It’s unfortunate that someone would set out to deceive us. We are troubled by this incident, and we are revising our protocols for verifying letters.”In the letter, the author complained that “several” attendees at the event were “dressed more appropriately to attend one of the local county fairs.”“When we moved to Portland, we realized we had landed in Hooterville,” they wrote. “Attending various programs around town, including at Merrill Auditorium, we saw ticket holders in tennis shorts, torn jeans and coveralls. Persons of both sexes wore ballcaps all during the various performances. Again, this behavior is perceived as disrespectful to the performers and demonstrative of lack of self-worth on the part of the individuals who choose to dress as farmworkers.”Koelker told Boston.com that no one among the 160 who attended the gala in April was “dressed down” and that the invitation did not only say “black tie” as the letter writer stated, rather it said the dress code for the event was “black tie” or “festive attire.” The nonprofit also instructed attendees ahead of time in a follow-up email that people should wear what feels comfortable. Koelker also cited the author’s reference to an attendee with Down syndrome as another false “allegation.”
“We would love if someone with Down syndrome had attended the event, and they would have been most heartily welcomed, however, there was not anyone fitting that description that anyone on our board of trustees or gala committee had the opportunity to meet,” she said. “And we met everyone that came through, as far as we know.”The letter sparked a flood of responses on social media and the newspaper’s website. “‘Hooterville,’ really?” wrote one commenter. “What arrogance you display. What kind of person moves to a community and then trashes it because it doesn’t meet some elite standard?”“Farmers are at the heart of Portland’s vibrant food scene, and our phenomenal local food systems are truly the core of my pride as a Mainer,” wrote another. “What a shame that the letter writer sees them as the lowest of low when they make our state so special to locals and tourists alike.”Many urged the writer to return to wherever they came from, while musicians and performers weighed in to say audience attire doesn’t impact the performances. “When I play viola in the pit for Opera Maine and on stage for the Portland Symphony I can assure you that my musician colleagues and I welcome everyone and are grateful that you have come to hear us perform, regardless of your attire,” wrote Kimberly Lehmann. “I‘m pretty sure the style or cost of the clothing you are wearing has no bearing on how the music will affect your soul.”It’s a message that Koelker echoed — what is worn to performances doesn’t matter. “We want people to come to enjoy the music and the story, along with the amazing acting and stunning visuals,” she said. “We don’t care what people wear.” The executive director said the attitude on display in the letter to the editor is not welcome in the Maine arts — or wider — community. “We’re down-to-Earth people that are welcoming of all, for the most part. And the outliers to that should keep their opinions to themselves,” Koelker said. Read the full letter to the editor that Opera Maine has written in response and requested the Press Herald publish:
Opera Maine Doesn’t Care What you Wear
We at Opera Maine are very disappointed by the recent letter to the editor from “Crawford Williamson.” No one of that name attended the April 28 fundraising Gala that celebrated Opera Maine’s 25th anniversary. Amy Paradysz did come to cover the event for the PPH Scene & Heard section. It is sad that “Crawford” chose to take what was a beautiful event and use it as a vehicle to express his/her own mean-spirited views about the population of “Hooterville.” That “Crawford” could not even sign his/her real name is just cowardly.
We wonder if “Crawford” did attend, so outlandish were his comments. No one ate like a farm animal, or wore overalls or a baseball cap. But guess what? We would have welcomed any guest in that attire. Opera lovers are diverse and Opera Maine strives to be a welcoming and inclusive organization—on stage as well as in the audience. Our mission is to share the beauty and power of the operatically trained human voice with everyone.
Indeed, we are happy to announce that thanks to a generous grant from Wells Fargo, we can offer free tickets to anyone 25 and under for our July 24 and 26 performances of Mozart’s great opera, The Magic Flute. Macy’s has renewed its generous grant, which this year will underwrite the distribution of complimentary seats to Veterans and First Responders and their families.
One of the reasons people “from away” are attracted to “Hooterville” is our rich cultural life, and Opera Maine is proud to be part of that. We have presented professional opera to Maine audiences for 25 years and are nationally recognized for the artistic quality of our productions. To all who attend The Magic Flute this summer we say, please come dressed however you wish! Be comfortable! Enjoy glorious music, an enchanting story, amazing singing and acting, and stunning visuals. We promise you will have a magical and inspiring experience.
———–
Arlene Schwind, President, Board of Trustees
Caroline Koelker, Executive Director
