Big Arts Pledge ‘Terrific’ or Shortsighted? : Philanthropy: Master Chorale, Mozart Camerata leaders react differently to being left out of $6.6-million promise.

As might be expected, reactions were jubilant among beneficiaries of the largest arts pledge of its kind in Orange County history--a total of $6.6 million announced Thursday from Farmers Insurance Group heir William J. Gillespie of Laguna Beach to the Orange County Performing Arts Center, Pacific Symphony, Pacific Chorale, South Coast Repertory and Orange County Philharmonic Society.

Reactions from groups left off Gillespie’s list were varied.

“It’s obviously disappointing when every regional group isn’t included,” William Hall, director of the Master Chorale of Orange County, said Friday. Of all the groups that present programs at the Performing Arts Center, the Master Chorale and Opera Pacific were the only ones not on the list.

“But,” Hall continued, “I’m thrilled for the arts in Orange County. Gifts like this hearken back to the great patrons of the 17th and 18th centuries.

“When I was in Washington, D.C., recently, we were given a $30,000 grant to work with an orchestra there for a performance of a new work. We were pleased, yet immediately there was a downside. I realized they don’t have the choices there we have. I realized that regarding the quality of overall musicianship, because of Los Angeles being the seat of movie production, we have a better base of instrumentalists to choose from in Southern California.

“I said this to a few people there, and they said, ‘But Orange County is falling apart!’ I said, ‘No, it’s not falling apart, a few people made a few mistakes in investing.’ I said the arts community is rallying and donations are actually up. The Master Chorale has two underwriters to underwrite the Mahler Eighth Symphony next season. Where else would that happen these days except in Orange County?

“I think it’s terrific for the arts, and if anything, I think, it’s going to inspire others to underwrite the arts. Obviously I’m sorry we’re not involved. But there are other patrons in Orange County.”

Ami Porat, director of the Mozart Camerata, seemed rather less excited, pointing out that Gillespie was giving money to organizations that, relatively speaking, already have lots of money.

Porat responded specifically to statements by Gillespie’s spokesman, Richard A. Gadbois III, to the effect that Gillespie was concerned about the nationwide “demise of funding” from government sources, the recent recession and the county’s bankruptcy woes.

“This man single-handedly wants to help ensure the survival of an active arts and musical scene in the county,” Porat said. “Nobody can argue with anything he does [along those lines], but I would like to emphasize that it’s a family that needs support.

“The area needs an opera company, a symphony, a chamber orchestra, a ballet and a choral group. I think the $2.8-million gift to the [performing arts] center covers ballet and Broadway shows. My point is that in the quodlibet that forms the musical fabric of Orange County, a chamber orchestra is an integral part.

“The Mozart Camerata is apparently the surviving chamber orchestra in the county. If there’s an angel that comes down and says he wants to help musical organizations survive, I say pick one of each kind. If this is a Noah who is to save all the musical animals, then take each kind, ensure the survival of the species.”

David DiChiera, director of Opera Pacific, could not be reached for comment.