Ambassador to Close

We write to grieve and praise.

The closing of the doors at Ambassador Auditorium (Jan. 28) came as a great blow to us, despite the fact that we were well aware of the escalating costs required to bring world-class musical groups to Pasadena. We have been fortunate enough to have heard the Berlin Philharmonic, the Vienna Philharmonic, the Philadelphia Orchestra’s Mahler Ninth Symphony and many other extraordinary offerings in the Great Orchestra Series provided in the past by the Ambassador program. We have also enjoyed performances of the Borodin, Fitzwilliam and Juilliard quartets and the Beaux Arts Trio over many years. We grieve that these magnificent musical groups will no longer perform in the unsurpassed acoustical environment provided by Ambassador Auditorium.

But praise we must as well. Having recently ordered tickets to the performance of the Juilliard Quartet, we were reminded once again of the courtesy, competence and dedication of the staff that supports Ambassador’s cultural activities. The level of service they provide sets a badly needed example for all organizations. We wish to express our gratitude to all those individuals who made possible the musical programs at Ambassador Auditorium. We will miss the magnificent evenings, but we will cherish the musical experiences we have enjoyed.

JAMES K. KNOWLES, JACQUELINE D. KNOWLES, Sierra Madre