RIP. David Roth

Kentucky Opera General Manager David Roth's untimely passing is a huge loss to the Louisville arts community and to those of us who were privileged to count his a friend.

David was an artist entrepreneur. He exposed us to new operas that had never been performed here, balanced with old favorites. With his background in accounting, David squeezed quarters from nickels. He demonstrated that an arts organization, through careful stewardship, can stay in the black. This made us want to dig deeper and work harder to help him build Kentucky Opera into the outstanding regional company that is his legacy.

Most importantly, David was a wonderful human being. He had the remarkable ability to make me feel like he was overjoyed to see me. That wasn't specific to me:  I knew that he made everyone he met the feel the same way, and that is a rare attribute.

He and Bryce and his family and friends are in our prayers.