Lineup completes journey from sublime to ridiculous

The Festival at Sandpoint has completed its sad journey from the sublime to the ridiculous.

When the Festival first stated back in the 1980s, the Spokane Symphony under the baton of renowned conductor Gunter Schuler, it was highly regarded for its performance of classical music. Gradually, the classical element has been replaced by pop.

The Festival decided to become the Las Vegas of the North rather than the Tanglewood of the West. Previously, one could depend on the Spokane Symphony providing classical music in at least one performance. This year, the last vestige of serious music will be replaced in the finale in favor of pop and the bottom line. What a shame.

ED BITTNER

Sagle