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Opera company makes San Diego debut with local talent

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Opera company makes San Diego debut with local talent


Inside the quaint Tenth Avenue Arts Theater in downtown San Diego, music fills the air of the dark, moody building.

A new era for opera in San Diego is underway — Opera a la Carte is making its grand debut.

“We just want to introduce people perhaps who aren’t as familiar with the classical voice to our style of singing and to opera …” said the organization’s founder, Abla Lynn Hamza.

She’s excited for their inaugural production taking place this week: Giacomo Puccini’s La Boheme.

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“Anybody from any walk of life can enjoy it, because the story is universal. It’s about love, it’s about struggle, it’s about the realities of life and how life can be hard sometimes,” Hamza said.

Abla Lynn Hamza stands in the hallway at Tenth Avenue Arts Theater in downtown San Diego, May 15, 2024.

It’s a classic opera that’s being told in a bold, new way.

“It’s really written for the early 1800s and it’s usually in long dresses, you know 1800s costumes, but I’ve set it in 1941 occupied Paris,” said director Angelina Réaux. “Because I think war always intensifies people’s emotions.”

The story follows four bohemians living together, whose lives change during a freezing Christmas Eve.

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Réaux sees her rendition more like a play with music.

“It’s so human. It’s just filled with humanity and all of the characters, you get to know them,” Réaux said. “They’re characters that you become familiar with and you come to love and care about.”

Soren Pedersen performs as one of the bohemians in the opera, named “Marcello.”

“He’s got a lot going on. He’s got anger, he’s got love in kind of a convoluted but very authentic way for him,” Pedersen said. “He’s got a deep care and compassion for both Rodolfo and Mimi that manifests in different ways.”

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The cast of Opera a la Carte's La Boehme run through a dress rehearsal, May 15, 2024.

The cast of Opera a la Carte’s La Boehme run through a dress rehearsal, May 15, 2024.

Like all of the cast bringing the story to life, Pedersen has roots in San Diego.

He’s played this role before, but not in such a close-quarter and gritty setting.

“What I’m expecting is a very fun and intimate production, because everybody is right here. You can see all of our expressions, which is not something you get to do — at least for very cheap in a real opera house,” Pedersen said.

The all-women run Opera a la Carte does more than hire local talent, they aim to fill gaps in the industry.

Their mission is to ensure that the beauty of opera and classical singing is accessible and affordable for all audiences.

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Pedersen said that approach is one of the ways that “opera can stay alive in the coming generations and is a necessity I would say for our artform.”

The production is for people of all ages and experience levels with opera. So those who have never seen one before can feel at ease.

The outside of the building for Tenth Avenue Arts Theater in downtown San Diego in shown, May 15, 2024.

The outside of the building for Tenth Avenue Arts Theater in downtown San Diego in shown, May 15, 2024.

It’s created for and by the San Diego community.

“There aren’t a lot of smaller companies here and there are all these talented performers. And I really wanted to give people opportunities to perform, as well as introduce people to opera who maybe don’t know that much about it,” Hamza said.

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The Opera a la Carte founder has her hands full. She’s not just producing the show — she’s performing in it too, as Mimi.

“It’s been a challenge to be honest,” Hamza said, laughing. “I bit off quite a lot — you know, live and learn. Next time there are things I would do quite differently, I’ll definitely have a lot more help in the next production.”

Réaux said the production will immerse audiences when they enter the theater doors — through propaganda posters, police barriers and a World War II-era radio.

Shows kick off Thursday and run nightly through Sunday.

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UNLV faces San Diego State after Hamilton’s 24-point performance

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UNLV faces San Diego State after Hamilton’s 24-point performance


UNLV Rebels (16-14, 11-8 MWC) at San Diego State Aztecs (19-10, 13-6 MWC)

San Diego; Friday, 10 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: UNLV faces San Diego State after Kimani Hamilton scored 24 points in UNLV’s 92-65 victory over the Utah State Aggies.

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The Aztecs have gone 13-2 in home games. San Diego State is eighth in the MWC with 9.0 offensive rebounds per game led by Miles Heide averaging 2.0.

The Rebels have gone 11-8 against MWC opponents. UNLV ranks eighth in the MWC shooting 34.4% from 3-point range.

San Diego State averages 79.1 points per game, 0.6 more points than the 78.5 UNLV gives up. UNLV averages 7.2 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.9 fewer made shots on average than the 9.1 per game San Diego State allows.

The teams play for the second time in conference play this season. San Diego State won the last meeting 82-71 on Jan. 24. Miles Byrd scored 23 points points to help lead the Aztecs to the win.

TOP PERFORMERS: Reese Dixon-Waters is shooting 35.9% from beyond the arc with 1.6 made 3-pointers per game for the Aztecs, while averaging 13 points. Byrd is averaging 10.2 points and 5.1 rebounds over the past 10 games.

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Dra Gibbs-Lawhorn is shooting 50.9% and averaging 20.6 points for the Rebels. Hamilton is averaging 1.4 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.

LAST 10 GAMES: Aztecs: 5-5, averaging 74.9 points, 28.9 rebounds, 13.7 assists, 6.9 steals and 4.2 blocks per game while shooting 46.4% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 69.0 points per game.

Rebels: 6-4, averaging 84.1 points, 32.3 rebounds, 14.7 assists, 6.4 steals and 4.8 blocks per game while shooting 50.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 80.8 points.

___

The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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Military bases in San Diego County increase security following Iran attacks

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Military bases in San Diego County increase security following Iran attacks


SAN DIEGO (CNS) – Military bases in San Diego County and nationwide have increased security measures due to last weekend’s U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran, prompting traffic delays near base entrances, enhanced ID checks and access restrictions.

The Naval Air Station North Island on Coronado ports three aircraft carriers, including the San Diego-based USS Abraham Lincoln, which led some of the first-wave attacks on Saturday.

Naval Base Coronado warned motorists of possible traffic delays at all base entry points due to the increased security measures.

Targets included Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps command and control facilities, Iranian air defense capabilities, missile and drone launch sites and military airfields.

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The U.S. operation, dubbed “Epic Fury,” and Israeli operation, “Raging Lion,” began striking targets at 1:15 a.m. Eastern Time Saturday.

As of Tuesday, at least six U.S. service members had been killed in action.

The strikes also killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Hosseini Khamenei, who had been Iran’s supreme leader since 1989, making him the longest-serving head of state in the Middle East.

Iran’s offensive forces claimed to have struck USS Abraham Lincoln with ballistic missiles, but according to an X post from U.S central Command, “The Lincoln was not hit. The missiles launched didn’t even come close. The Lincoln continues to launch aircraft in support of CENTCOM’s relentless campaign to defend the American people by eliminating threats from the Iranian regime.”

Those with concerns regarding the heightened security can contact San Diego County’s Office of Emergency Services at 858-565-3490 or oes@sdcounty.ca.gov.

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SD Unified moves forward with layoffs of classified employees

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SD Unified moves forward with layoffs of classified employees


SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — Less than 3 weeks after the San Diego Unified School District finalized a new contract with teachers, the school board voted unanimously on Tuesday to move forward with layoff notices for other district employees.

The layoffs affect classified employees — workers who are employed by the district but are not teachers and are not certified. That includes bus drivers, custodians, special education and teacher aides, and cafeteria workers.

The district says it is eliminating 221 positions — 133 that are currently filled and 88 that are vacant — to save $19 million and help address a projected $47 million deficit for the next fiscal year.

Preliminary layoff notices will go out on March 15, with final notices by May 15.

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The district estimates about 200 classified employees will receive preliminary notices, but of them, about 70 are expected to lose their jobs based on union-negotiated bumping rules.

Bumping allows employees with more seniority to move into another position in the same classification, thereby “bumping” a less senior employee out of that role.

Lupe Murray, an early childhood special education parafacilitator with the district, said the news came as a shock after the teacher strike was called off.

“When the strike was called off, I’m like, ‘Yes!’ So then when I got the email from the Superintendent, I’m like, ‘Wait, what?’ So, I think everyone was shocked,” Murray said.

The district says it sends out annual layoff notices, as all districts in the state do.

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Before Tuesday’s board meeting, classified employees rallied outside, made up of CSEA (California School Employees Association) Chapters OTBS 788, Paraeducators 759, and OSS 724. They were joined by parents, students, and the San Diego & Imperial Counties Labor Council, AFL-CIO.

Miguel Arellano, a paraeducator independence facilitator with San Diego Unified and a representative of San Diego Paraeducators Cahpter 759.

“What do we want? No layoffs! When do we want it? Now!” the crowd chanted.

Arellano said he felt compelled to act when he learned about the potential layoffs.

“The first thing that went through my mind was that I need to speak up. I need to protect these people,” Arellano said.

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Inside the meeting, the board heard emotional, at times tearful testimony from classified employees before voting unanimously to move forward with the layoff schedule.

Superintendent Fabi Bagula said the district has tried to protect classrooms from the cuts.

“We have tried our best to only, I mean, to not touch the school. Or the classroom. But now it’s at the point where it’s getting a little bit harder,” Bagula said. “What I’m still hoping, or what I’m still working toward, because we’re still in negotiations, is that we’re able to actually come to a win-win, where there’s positions and availability and maybe even promotions for folks that are impacted.”

Arellano warned the layoffs could have a direct impact on students.

“We are already spread thin, so, with more of a case load, it’s going to be impossible to be able to service all the students that we need to have,” Arellano said.

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Follow ABC 10News Anchor Max Goldwasser on InstagramFacebook, and Twitter.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.





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