There are undoubtedly many, many wonderful anecdotes being recalled at the passing of the amazing Esther Clenott (“Esther Clenott, former Portland mayor, dies at 91,” June 21). We at PORTopera have a rather unusual one to share.
In 1996, our second season, we presented “Madama Butterfly” at the State Theatre, as the Merrill Auditorium was still being renovated.
We knew from the inaugural season that it was likely to be stifling hot there, with a full house and no air conditioning.
Esther at that time was going full throttle with the Shinagawa, Japan, sister-city project, and we devised a plan whereby we would print several hundred one-page programs for this notable Japanese opera, and her volunteers would fold them into fans to be offered to patrons as they arrived.
As with most things Esther, this was both very useful and extremely appreciated.
We wish her Godspeed, with a wink!
Jack Riddle
founding president, PORTopera
South Portland
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