Dear Monsieur Mortier,

I've just read Dan Wakin's Times story about your decision to resign as the incoming director of City Opera. While this news fills me with great sadness - knowing that it will mean no Einstein, no Saint Francois, no Disney - I'm also pissed off. 

See, in America, we make due with what we have, even if it's less than what we think we might need. We don't complain, we don't look down our noses, we don't say things like: "I cannot go run a company that has less than the smallest company in France. You don't need me for that."

You're absolutely right, Monsieur Mortier. We don't need you for that. In fact, we don't need you at all. Because, the more I think about it, the more I realize this was never about enhancing the musical life of New York. It was, apparently, only about you.

Good luck in your retirement.

Love,

FoM